Keymi – Clermont-Ferrand
Keymi
Research into polystyrene compositions continues to evolve. Keymi is moving beyond the puzzle-like approach, shifting his focus to the medium itself. The typical illustrated pieces have disappeared, giving way to complete freedom of form. The malleability and lightness of polystyrene allow him to experiment with volume. His creative process is now rooted in three-dimensional thinking. Each element in the composition is given a different thickness, introducing a new rhythm to the work—expanding the painted surfaces and color interactions. It’s no longer a painting, but a wall sculpture. We need to move around it to grasp its entirety and subtlety.
Textural effects are multiplying. Glitter, flocking, and random cutouts combine with resin to amplify the physical presence of the work. Our relationship to it becomes increasingly tactile—almost sensual—we feel the urge to touch it.
These new dimensions find their full strength in Keymi’s abstract pieces. The Enso series is the perfect culmination. The minimal use of color leaves room for the expression of texture, material, and depth. Light is embodied through the use of different shades of black on every element. Fluorescent edges subtly outline the shapes, revealing the underlying Zen spirituality symbolized by the circle (enso in Japanese), which serves as the foundation of every composition.
This spirituality becomes even more apparent in another abstract work titled Retable. It directly references the decorated panel behind the altar. The shape of the piece recalls Romanesque church architecture—semi-circular arches and barrel vaults. Once again, the circle appears, along with color minimalism and the interplay of thicknesses.
Biography
Born in Paris in 1973. Lives and works in Clermont-Ferrand. Keymi (which is “Mickey” in verlan, French backslang) began painting in 1990. He grew up during the hip-hop wave and created his first murals and spray-painted graffiti in 1992. After studying art history in Clermont-Ferrand, he increasingly dedicated himself to painting and began experimenting with other techniques between 1995 and 1998: aerograff, watercolor, and acrylic. These new methods brought richness to his creations, allowing for a more defined iconographic direction and a distinctive technique that set his work apart from conventional graffiti.
This is how he found his style. His inspiration comes from renowned illustrators such as H.R. Giger (creator of Alien), Frank Frazetta, Boris Vallejo, Brom, Gil Elvgren, Alberto Vargas, Sorayama, and Luis Royo—as well as calligraphers like Claude Mediavilla, Hassan Massoudy, and Fabienne Verdier. He also draws from the world of comics and manga while maintaining a strong sensitivity to the aesthetics of classical landscape painting, Baroque and Rococo church frescoes, 20th-century art, and the iconography of custom culture and tattooing.
His graffiti work falls into two main categories: characters and lettering. In recent years, he has been covering the grey walls of Clermont-Ferrand. Initially created without permission, his works eventually gained the approval of the authorities, with municipal services even being instructed not to remove them. Keymi has also received commissions from official institutions. Constantly in search of places with history and atmosphere, he paints on buildings that he considers the last traces of our existence on Earth—as if to resist the passing of time and make his work timeless.
Most recently, he created a series titled Pin-Up Puzzles in resin-coated polystyrene, exhibited at Galerie Artima—an homage to the iconic American women of the 1950s, popularized by Alberto Vargas and Gil Elvgren.
Solo Exhibits
2019
Solo show – Galerie Artima – Paris
Lexus – Aubière
2018
Cacophonies #2 – Solo show – Galerie Artima – ParisAAF London – Galerie Artima
Winter show – Galerie Artima – Paris
2017
Galerie Burkhard Eikelman – Düsseldorf
Black & White – Galerie Artima – Paris
AAF Lausanne
Galerie Artima – London
Bear Galerie – Uzès
AFF London – Galerie Artima
Pin-Up – exposition collective avec Jörg Döring – Galerie Artima
Artered gallery – New York
2016
Cacophonie – exposition personnelle – Galerie Artima – Paris
Clermont Urban Graff
Connexion française – exposition personnelle – Urbane Art – Edinburgh
AAF London – Galerie Artima
2015
Galerie Petitjean – Lyon
The Aberdeen Art Fair – Urbane Art – Edinburgh
AAF Battersea London – Galerie Artima
Pin up et graffitis – exposition personnelle – Galerie Artima – Paris
AAF Bruxelles – Bear galerie
2014
St-Art – Strasbourg – Bear galerie
AFF London – galerie Artima
ART3F – Montpellier – Bear Galerie
Artoulouse Expo – Bear Galerie
ART3F – Lyon – Bear Galerie
Bulles et Pin up Puzzles – exposition personnelle – Galerie Artima – Paris
ART3F – Nantes – Bear galerie
Galerie Cour intérieure – Clermont-Ferrand
AAF Bruxelles – Bear galerie
2013
Galerie Cour intérieure – Clermont-Ferrand
Art3F – Mulhouse – Bear galerie
St-Art – Strasbourg – Bear galerie
AFF London – galerie Artima
Galerie Artima – Paris – exposition personnelle
2012
Galerie Cour intérieure – Clermont-Ferrand
Bear Galerie – Uzès
2009
Exposition personnelle – Clermont-Ferrand
2008
Exposition personnelle – Espace Victoire – Clermont-Ferrand
2007
Edition d’un livre sur trois ans de travail dans les rues de Clermont-Ferrand
Exposition personnelle – Eglise Neuve – Entraigues
Exposition aux Abattoirs – Riom
2006
Exposition personnelle – Commentry
2005
Marché d’art contemporain de Bastille – Paris
Exposition personnelle – ESC – Clermont-Ferrand
Exposition personnelle – Orcet
2004
Salon d’art contemporain – Shanghai Art Fair – CHN
Travail sur le chantier du tramway – Clermont-Ferrand
Exposition personnelle – Mairie – Le Cendre
Galerie L’Antilope – Lyon – Exposition personnelle
2003
Exposition personnelle – la Roche Blanche
Festival de graff de la Roche Blanche – Directeur artistique depuis 2003
2001
Exposition personnelle – Mairie de Clermont-Ferrand
Collaborative Exhibits
2019
Mo n’ Key pop #2 – L’O du Désert – Clermont Ferrand
Design – Exposition collective – Galerie Artima – Paris
2018
Street Art avec Jo di Bona et Zenoy – Galerie Artima – London
2017
Pin-Up – exposition collective avec Jörg Döring – Galerie Artima
2016
Collection particulière – Galerie Artima – Paris
Clermont Urban Graff
Les Arts en Balade – Clermont-Ferrand
2015
Trans’urbaines 2015 – Clermont-Ferrand
2014
Trans’urbaines 2014 – Clermont Ferrand
Keep calm and love street art – exposition collective – Galerie Géraldine Zberro – Paris
2013
Trans’urbaines 2013 – Clermont Ferrand
Félix & Co – exposition collective – Château d’Hauterive – Issoire
2008
Ouverture du 100m² – lieu d’exposition permanent avec les artistes Yoco et Marjorie Herréro
Exposition personnelle – Espace Victoire – Clermont-Ferrand
2007
Invité d’honneur – Exposition collective – Cusset
Trans’urbaines – coordinateur de la partie graffiti – Clermont-Ferrand
Rencontres graff – Directeur artistique – La Roche-Blanche
Exposition collective des Plasticiens du Puy de Dôme
2006
Exposition collective – siège social de l’OPAC – Puy de Dôme
2004
Exposition collective – Montluçon
2003
Festival de graff de la Roche Blanche – Directeur artistique depuis 2003