Smail Kanouté

He graduated from the National School of Decorative Arts in Paris in graphic and multimedia design and specializes in African graphics and patterns. He lives and works in Paris. He is a multifaceted artist, at the same time graphic designer, screen printer, plastic artist and professional dancer. During a study trip to Rio de Janeiro in 2010, he learned artisanal screen printing from the artist DEUG. A year later he created his collective WEAR'T with Charline Troutot and Louis Bottero. Together they create clothing collections that combine screen-printed patterns with unique cuts. He also dances in the show “Heroes” by Radhouane El Meddeb, choreographed for the 104. Between 2015 and 2016, he collaborated with XULY BËT, by silkscreening about fifty unique models as well as part of the Autumn / Winter for the NEW YORK FASHION WEEK 2016. He has just created the dance company 'Vivons'. The screen printing and the motif become the weapons of his art that he presents in his last two series: Layers and Meditation. His silkscreen prints, posters and canvases roam, challenge and soothe the eye. Smaïl Kanouté is part of this young generation who renews with finesse the visual and aesthetic codes, all disciplines combined. His pictorial works are recognizable by expressive patterns, a kind of modern alphabet and abstract.