As graffiti art becomes more main stream, the line between fine artist and street artist has grown increasingly blurred. Though many young artists begin with graffiti, few are able to translate that experience into an international career like French artist Marchal Mithouard (otherwise known as Shaka).
Widely exhibited throughout Europe, Shaka will have his second North American solo show opening September 12th at the gallery nine 5 in Soho. Entitled Onde de Choc (which translates to “shock wave” in English), the show features paintings and sculptures of large abstract figures in various forms of distress. He explains,
“There is a constant struggle to maintain balance between good and bad. I like to play with this equilibrium and explore the confrontation between internal and external forces.”
A native of the bustling metropolitan area of Paris, Shaka’s artwork has been largely influenced by the city. He gravitated towards graffiti as an adolescent due to the liberating experience of expressing himself creatively amongst his peers. Early hip-hop culture and graffiti tag styles of the late 80s are still apparent in his work, though the medium and subject matter continues to evolve.
The works in Onde de Choc represent a more focused exploration of the individual, as solo figures twist and contort like deconstructed snapshots of sucker-punched boxers. Shaka seeks to draw the viewer inward by bringing attention to the dichotomy between outward strength and inner weaknesses. The overall effect is initially very masculine until you consider the implied fragility of the figures.
“You can have a strong appearance like my characters but they are also very fragile. Like personalities, the figures are formed of many little pieces. When you remove one piece, they will collapse and fall to the floor. It can remind you that life is a series of confrontations between people and their surroundings. Everyone is always struggling to maintain balance.”
Shaka’s show opens this Saturday from 6-8pm. Click here for more information and follow gallery nine 5 on social media to keep up with future shows!