Christophe Riva

France

Christophe Riva, born in 1993 in Osaka, Japan lived in both Japan and France for almost 10 years each, which allowed him to develop an understanding of both the countries’ culture, language and society. He is currently living in Hangzhou of China at the China Academy of Art doing undergraduate art program in the printing department. Living in China for 3 years enabled him to enrich his cultural knowledge by developing his linguistics in Chinese language as well. His interest lies in every kind of artistic expressions and having been in touch art since childhood by visiting artist studios, museums, galleries and printing ateliers. He had been making porcelain sculptures in France from the age of 3 with a constant practice of drawing and sketching. He has also attended theater school, trained his voice, practiced dancing and acting. He is currently concentrating on wall painting and street art, doing graffiti and trying new ways to express himself.

Work Concept:

My art work is now strictly connected with the street. Since my painting is on outside surfaces it can be consider as « street art ».
To be sincere in my point of view there may not be a clear statement or concept in my art. My working process is very instinctive and energetic. Almost all of my work have no draft or any preparation. I prepare the tools and the materials that I use to work, then let my pure imagination and inspiration comes out. Friends of mine often ask for some meanings about what I do, but I always answer « I just wanted to do it ». I consider my work more as a visual picture of my imagination more than some conceptual ideas. Its like an artistic illustration on walls.

My statement or ideas might not be clear enough because I consider my self as a very young artiste just in the begging of the road. I am everyday trying as much as possible to find ways to do art. Searching new styles, new materials, new ways of expressions.