Oil, 2014

Levalet   Emerging artists

In Paris' 13th district, one might come across strange characters who will fool you with their realistic and quirky appearances. These silhouettes are none other than the ones emerging from Levalet's (pen name for Charles Leval) imagination.

Born in 1988 in Epinal, Levalet grew up in Guadeloupe and returned to Paris at the age of 17. He started to paint at the age of 13, but only began studying Art at the Beaux-Arts in Strasbourg after his return. Although he is equally passionate about theater, the audio-visual sector,photography, sculpting and painting, he finally decided to specialize and focus on visual Arts.

Using ink on Kraft paper, Levalet developed a series of characters, based on photographs or self-portraits, that are displayed on the walls of Paris. Inspired by cinema, improvisation and mimes, Levalet uses codes and references from live entertainment to create a fictional troupe of life-size comedians interacting with bystanders.

In a desire to promote urban art, the 13th district has allowed Levalet to continuously unleash his creativity by providing him with space for his work. Glued on the walls, Levalet's characters easily lure us into their absurd adventures in which they gently mock, while simultaneously brightening, our everyday lives. Levalet's illusions will introduce you to a charming, fictional reality.