Steeve, Circa 2024

SOMA  

Born in the 1970s, originally from Aix-en-Provence, SØMA has been a visual artist for ten years now through a work around pixel art in all its forms.

SØMA's creations are first and foremost a tribute to his mother, a painter. Indeed, he grew up in a stimulating artistic environment, strongly influenced by the work of Vasarely, who very early awakened his artistic conscience during his visits to the museum dedicated to the artist in Aix-en-Provence. Rich in these experiences, SØMA feels the need to extend the work transmitted while evolving with the times — hence his choice to explore new technologies that he uses to create his art.

Influenced by optical art (or Op Art), he incorporates Pop touches into his graphic creations. Each painting, whose identity is unique, is made on plexiglass plates (alone or superimposed) by applying an aerosol technique. From an image that he works digitally, the artist creates large stencils... The complete technique, the result of a long research work to achieve the perfect depth effect that remains secret!

It is a real contemporary craftsmanship of tones and shapes that SØMA honors. The highlighted optical game, where parallel lines of varying thickness combine and overlap, offers the viewer's eye a wide palette of shades that are both minimalist and explosive. SØMA presents a spectacle of alternately associated and dissociated lines, a play in which optical depth is key — all embodying an imposing three-dimensional energy.

The latter takes shape in particular through the staging of the living. SØMA reappropriates and interprets through its palette popular icons or atypical faces with poignant impact. The optical game created then brings to life the images inspired by magazine covers, emblematic photographs, but also significant and meaningful works of talented photographers.

In the making of his works, SØMA is particularly influenced by Street Art artists (Banksy, Invader, JR) but also abstract art (notably Pierre Soulages), or other photographers such as Helmut Newton, Bettina Rheims in through his work on the portrait that the artist likes to highlight. In short, through his art, SØMA pays homage to his idols, to the iconic portraits that have made and are making society.

SØMA is a Faroese word meaning “to beautify”. It is these faces that the artist intends to highlight and celebrate.

SØMA is also a reference to SAMO, the first signature used by Jean-Michel Basquiat, whose work has largely influenced his artistic paths.

SØMA is the celebration of life in all its forms, making each painting unique.