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Born in Paris in 1972, Seth (Julien Malland) began expressing himself on the walls of his city in the mid-90s.

His favorite playground at that time was the 20th arrondissement, where he gained recognition in the graffiti scene by specializing in creating characters. A graduate of the National School of Decorative Arts, he co-authored the book « Kapital » with Gautier Bischoff in 2000, which remains the biggest success in French graffiti to this day. Together, they founded a publishing house dedicated to urban artists, Wasted Talent, in 2004.

Before becoming a full-time artist, Seth worked in creative industries, including advertising, animation, and comic books. During this time, he painted on the streets for his own pleasure. Starting in 2003, he embarked on a journey around the world to connect with artists from different cultures and explore new ways of living and painting in urban environments.

From this experience, the book « Globe Painter » was born in 2007, followed by the documentary program « Les Nouveaux explorateurs, » broadcast and produced by Canal +, where Seth invites viewers to discover a country through the prism of its urban arts. For five years, he traveled and shared insights from 15 destinations rich in meaning.

Throughout his artistic explorations, Seth developed a recognizable painting style, often focusing on childhood. Treating the wall as a blank page, he draws on the imagination—whether individual or collective, involving local gods, myths, and tales. The child becomes a spokesperson, a messenger of questioning. Seth puts the innocence of the child at stake and places his character in a challenging social, political, or geographical context.

His approach is often characterized by dual meanings but never cynical—an engaged urban painting to raise awareness about the state of the world and propel it forward.

painting

exhibition

 

« art fair » – itinerrance – lausanne – 28.09.2023

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