"We adapt to the place and the moment. "
- Chanoir
Alberto Vejarano (b. 1976, Bogotá), known professionally as CHANOIR, is a French-Colombian artist celebrated for the energy and optimism that define his graffiti and paintings. World-renowned for his playful yet precise visual language, CHANOIR creates art rooted in the belief that both art and artists are agents of positive change.
Emerging in the mid-1990s under the influence of pioneering figures such as Keith Haring and the Parisian artist André, CHANOIR adopted the spray can as his primary tool of expression. His work, a vibrant fusion of Pop Art and Free Figuration, draws inspiration from art history, popular humour, childhood nostalgia, and the immediacy of contemporary aesthetics.
Distinguished by bold colours, flat planes, and simplified, instantly recognisable figures reminiscent of logos and tags, CHANOIR’s style radiates accessibility and joy while remaining deeply rooted in cultural reflection and creative optimism.
HELLO CHANOIR, THANK YOU FOR JOINING 4BYSIX AGAIN, IT’S GREAT TO HAVE YOU BACK! TO START, PLEASE CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE KEY INSPIRATION BEHIND THE START OF YOUR ARTISTIC JOURNEY?
I am inspired by artist like Keith Haring or Basquiat. They made me want to draw in the street.
YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED YOUR BACKGROUND OF BEING FRENCH-COLOMBIAN AS A SENSE OF “DUAL ANCHORING”. HOW DOES THIS FEELING MANIFEST IN YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS AND VISUAL OUTCOME WHEN WORKING IN THE STUDIO?
Being Colombian gives me the taste of pre-Colombian art and living in Paris has rather given me the taste for contemporary urban art.
YOUR CAT CHARACTER, THE CHA, REGULARLY APPEARS IN YOUR WORK AND ACTS ALMOST LIKE A TOTEM OR COMPANION. HOW DOES THIS RECURRING FIGURE EVOLVE IN RESPONSE TO THE DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS YOU WORK IN, FROM THE STREETS OF PARIS TO THE COLOURS AND RHYTHMS OF BOGOTÁ?
It's an adaptation and it's just improvisation. We adapt to the place and the moment.
AS YOUR PRACTICE IS KNOWN FOR ITS USE OF VIBRANT COLOURS AND BOLD LINES, DO YOU SEE COLOUR AS A WAY OF SHAPING THE PERSONALITY OR ENERGY OF YOUR CHARACTERS? HOW INTENTIONAL IS THAT PROCESS OR DO YOU FIND THAT SOMETIMES THE ENERGY OF THE CHARACTERS CHANGES DURING THE PRODUCTION OF THE WORK?
Yes, I see colour as energy that can be in line with the attitude and intentions of the CATS - the colours harmonise with each other, obviously according to my preferences.
Chanoir
Title: "Cool Cats" 2025
Medium: Acrylic on tarpaulin
Dimensions: 90 x 90cm
Framing: We suggest to frame floating in a box frame without glass. Frame not included
NOW THAT YOU’RE COLLABORATING WITH 4BYSIX AGAIN, HOW HAS YOUR APPROACH CHANGED COMPARED TO OUR FIRST PROJECT TOGETHER? WHAT LESSONS FROM THE EARLIER COLLABORATION ARE YOU BRINGING INTO THIS ONE, IN TERMS OF MATERIALS, PROCESS, OR CREATIVE DIRECTION?
There is a constraint in relation to the material of canvas but otherwise I do what I know how to do, that is to say interpret my thoughts.
PLEASE CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THE WORK YOU HAVE MADE ON THE TARPAULIN. DID THE MATERIAL SPARK ANY CREATIVE IDEAS?
Materials in general don't change my creative process, I just illustrate my ideas and in the end I do what I know how to draw: cats paying attention to each other.
CAN YOU TELL US WHY YOU CHOSE THE COLOUR PINK FOR THIS WORK AND IF IT HAS A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE ENERGY OF THE CHARACTERS?
For me, pink is the colour of sharing and friendship.
LASTLY, CAN YOU TELL US WHAT IS NEXT FOR YOU? DO YOU HAVE ANY PROJECTS, EXHIBITIONS OR COLLABORATIONS YOU ARE EXCITED ABOUT STARTING?
I'm preparing an art book to celebrate Chanoir's 30th anniversary :)