Jinks Kunst - TUK TUK - Edition 5/10

Jinks Kunst: The Revelation of Urban Stenciling Born in 1976, Jinks Kunst is a renowned Franco-Swiss artist whose creative trajectory is rooted in the vibrant cultures of hip-hop and skateboarding from the 1990s. Residing and working in Nantes, his journey is a constant exploration of mediums and techniques, making him an essential figure in the contemporary street art scene. From the Street to the Stencil, an Artistic Revelation His early graffiti lettering quickly evolved into a multidisciplinary practice, incorporating collage, painting, and the détournement of urban objects. It was in 2006 that Jinks Kunst discovered stenciling, a technique that became an all-consuming passion. Armed with a cutter, he manually sculpts his creations, infusing them with exceptional precision and meticulousness. His works, often life-sized, draw inspiration from a keen analysis of current events, politics, literature, as well as urban cultures and the animal world. A Nomadic Artist, a Citizen of the World Since 2008, he has been pursuing a signature approach by diverting traffic signs, initially in Nantes and then worldwide (more than 40 countries). His stencils, posters, and stickers adorn the walls of countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America. These journeys are not just aesthetic quests; they are at the heart of his humanist approach. Jinks Kunst uses urban art as a means of social connection, volunteering with marginalized populations to organize creative and sharing workshops. Reconnaissance and Major Projects Jinks Kunst's work benefits from increasing visibility and international recognition. Exhibited in France and abroad, his works are part of leading private collections and are regularly reproduced in specialized publications on street art. In 2021, he was selected among 76 finalists for the prestigious Prix du graffiti et du street art de Paris. Among his most significant projects, one can mention: The creation of a mural in the Sidi Moumen slum in Casablanca, depicting a scene of Moroccan life. A collaboration on the Prasad project in Nepal, resulting in a monumental mural in tribute to Mahabir Pun, a pioneer of connectivity in the Himalayas. The volunteer project organization 'Djiguene & Goor' across five countries in West Africa. Participation in renowned exhibitions, notably at Strokar in Brussels and Studio 49 in Geneva, alongside legends such as Andy Warhol, Banksy, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. The creation of a tribute work to the film 'Les Pépites' in Phnom Penh, which captured the attention of the director. The volunteer project organization 'Alibi' in 2019 in the refugee camps of Iraqi Kurdistan and Lebanon. Jinks Kunst has created several hundred stencils, reappropriated over a thousand traffic signs, and customized dozens of skateboards and vinyl records. His art, both aesthetic and engaged, is a constant invitation to reflect on our world.