Born to an artist painter for a mother and a father who manages a graphics company, Matthieu Lainé aka Graffmatt, grew up in a family of creators; and so naturally he chose to turn to an education dedicated to graphic arts too. A professional artist since 2013, set up in the Savoie town of Chambéry, Graffmatt produces his works alongside his main job as a computer graphics designer. His passion for painting came about thanks to Street Art and the hip-hop culture. Fascinated by the artists and their productions, Graffmatt takes to the streets to produce in situ many photographic reports. He then uses shots as sources of inspiration without trying to reproduce an exact copy. On the contrary, through acrylic paints, Posca pens, aerosol sprays and brushes, the artist decomposes the pictures to reassemble them in line with his own interpretation. A keen enthusiast for the cardboard supports, the painter likes the flexibility of its format – that he can adapt however he wants – as well as the writing stamped on it – a graphic base that makes up its background. Figurative and expressive, his works are produced two-fold, described by the artist as such: “first the dynamic elaboration of an abstract/graffiti background, then more detailed and calmer work, thus contrasting with the background.” Needing to immerse himself fully in his world, Graffmatt accompanies his pictorial work by listening to urban music. The choice of musical style is reflected in his works, certain sounds leading him to use dark shades, while other push him towards bright colours.