When Yann Couedor was growing up in Charenten Le Point, France, instead of roaming the small town as a young ecolier (that's boy in french!) he became infatuated with Afro American music and it's culture. The ill-minded and eclectic artist developed such a love that it took on new meaning in his life.It played a major role in shaping his skill. As Couedor jammed to the tunes of Al Johnson, The Manhattans, Bel Biv Devoe, Bob Marley and the Notorious B.I.G. along with other black prolific notables, his passion and love greatened. Walking through the streets and taking glimpses of posters on walls and store fronts tickled his artistic nerve. Scrapes and scrabbles from old and new posters would give birth to his love for collages and cutouts. Like many artist who create a signature technique, Couedor uses collages that represent his love for combining print with abstract photography reproduced from popular photos of musicians and historical figures. A human sponge to the world and culture around him, Couedor heightened his skill by going to school and further studying art in Paris and South Africa. Serving as a student of the art world Couedor combined and illustrated all his inspiration, research and experience that he'd ever amassed on canvas.
Reminiscent of the slum and elite jazz filled, Harlem street swagger walking, slick talking, NY city life circa 1940-88 inspired paintings, produced by the Late Romare Bearden, Couedor shadows a hint of the same social, political and musical themes portrayed in Bearden's works. With a modernized twist, Couerdon uses images of artist like Biggie, Outkast, Martin Luther King and the Jackson Five mixed with collage backgrounds of vintage aunctioned off photographs, articles of old mags, newspapers and classic replicas.
Couedor is amazing at creating rich works that are musically and socially inspired pieces.He creates visuals that make you believe that you can actually hear the illuminating sounds of Stevie singing,"Golden Lady", or Public Enemy's pulse hitting classic, "Fight the Power" blaring from his collection, which in fact is appropiately titled, "Lissen2myArt." In 2007 Couedor showcased a private preview at the Studio de la Grande Armee which was organized and set-up for the press release of Kanye West album,"Graduation."
With a dope gift to take us through his visual dimensions, Couedor is indeed a breath of fresh air and a reminder that, like Hip-Hop art is not dead! Real recognize real, show this brother some love and take a minute to lissen to his art!
For Press or Purchase, contact:
Yrene 0033621276723 or email upfirstpromo@yahoo.fr
Check his blog out too http://www.lissen2myart.blogspot.com/
Friend him on myspace too, tell him Crooklyn Chronicles sent ya! www.myspace.com/lissen2myart
