JAY RAMIER
Jay One Ramier is a self-taught and multidisciplinary visual artist known as one of the pioneer graffiti artists in Paris and Europe. He mixes painting, street art, video installations and music. Ramier was one of the key figures in building the European Urban-Art scene, starting from the early 80’s and transforming the influences from New York. He is also known for dealing with the representation of Negroes in euro-centric cultures, trying to break free from all cultural or racial definitions and restraints.
Ramier was born in Guadeloupe, the West Indies in 1967. His roots from the Caribbean tradition and culture have an important role in his art, as he manages to use their imagery and invigorate pop culture, street art and other contemporary forms with them. One can trace the grotesque and metaphorical aspects in his work that covers the narratives from all Pan-African Diaspora. On one hand, he depicts all the struggles, catastrophes and frustrations of the Negroes, but portrays them with a lot of optimism, humor, and resistance. An upbeat struggle for freedom, boosted with a lot of creativity and color – can be a way of defining his art. (from Widewalls.com)
NOW NOW VOL. 2, group exhibition
