Galleries in Paris

The essential of painting 1987 – 2012

When Bernard Utudjian opened the galerie Polaris in the small space of the rue Michel Le Comte, one of his first exhibitions was dedicated to Speedy Graphito. It was the artist’s first presentation in a gallery. Then, there were 9 solo exhibitions in which were shown paintings, drawings, installations, videos, multiples and photographies, depending on the themes the artist chose. 2003 is the year of the last collaboration of Speedy Graphito with the galerie Polaris at its previous location:  8 rue Saint-Claude in the 3^rd arrondissement of Paris.

2012,  Speedy Graphito and Bernard Utudjian felt the need to set up this exhibition recounting 25 years of Speedy’s  career. The two main reasons for this project are to show to the public (old and new) the incredible evolution of this artist and to put into perspective what can be considered like a genuine artistic career. In times when Street Art and Graffiti art are back in the limelight and Speedy Graphito considered as an emblematic and extremely inventive figure of these movements, it was important to not only focus on the latest painting, drawing or sculpture freshly out of the studio but to explain the long process that leads to these works. Speedy Graphito questions the relationship between art and society. Thanks to his style – recognizable at a glance – he has constantly developed an original vocabulary confronting parody and serious matters.

If it is impossible to summarize some twenty five years of creation, one thing is certain: Speedy Graphito has always succeeded in renewing himself. He always « puts himself at risk » and  shows up where he was not expected.  He has a natural sense for experimenting and using any  material likely to quench his thirst for creation.