CHANOIR 

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Chanoir, real name Alberto Vejarano, is a French-Colombian street artist and designer born in Bogota in 1976. A graduate of the Beaux-Arts de Paris under Jean-Michel Alberola, Chanoir combines free figuration and post-graffiti. Active on the walls of Barcelona in the early 2000s, Chanoir is also known for the documentary "Murs Libres".

 

In 2002, Chanoir founded the Collectif 1980 with other artists such as Jean-Philippe Illanes, Alexandre Sirvin, Hugo Garcia and Ernest Añaños Montoto. This artistic movement has been exhibited on several occasions, including the "Né dans la rue" exhibition at the Fondation Cartier in 2009. Chanoir frequently collaborates with artists such as El Pez or la Tétine noire in Paris, Barcelona, Bogota or Wynwood Miami, both in the studio and on the street.

 

Chanoir's name refers to a poster for the cabaret “Le Chat Noir”, drawn by Théophile Steinlen. His colorful characters are inspired by the clear line style and cartoon characters. Chanoir drew his inspiration from his childhood in the '80s, drawing on the simple lines of Barbapapa, the madness of The Shadoks and naive, childlike manga such as Hello Kitty, as well as artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. In his own words, Chanoir is passionate about cave art. The simplicity of his creatures’ features, particularly his cats, evokes the minimalism of pre-Columbian art, notably the totemic Muisca jaguar figures that particularly intrigue him.