Artist Statement
(Click image for Biography)
I fell in love with art at an early age as a student in a Positive Youth Development Program on the south side of Chicago. By the age of 13, I was asked to teach at the program. I did not realize the foundation I was building back then, but now I am more that appreciative of the knowledge, skill, and patience that the position afforded me.
I grew up in a family wealthy of love. Both of my parents were Haitian immigrants and that really had a strong influence on my art and outlook on life. Their focus on education exposed me to a variety of critical subjects at a young age. Philosophically, I believe the height of human existence lies within the creation and appreciation of the arts.
Artist such as Jean Michel Basquiat, Romare Bearden, and Salvador Dali have inspired me most to take my artistry to new heights. Similarly, I use vivid colors in my works to tell stories and evoke emotional responses. I like to call my work fresh, forward, and mindful. Great portions of my works are introspective collages. They speak to the intersection of history, music, religion, and politics. Hip Hop has also played a major role as an influence on my artistry. I seek to seamlessly blend graffiti, folk, graphic, and multimedia aspects into my pieces. Art for change is my mantra. A portion of the proceeds from all sales are set aside for our youth arts initiative.
Thank you,
Charles Philippe Jean-Pierre
I fell in love with art at an early age as a student in a Positive Youth Development Program on the south side of Chicago. By the age of 13, I was asked to teach at the program. I did not realize the foundation I was building back then, but now I am more that appreciative of the knowledge, skill, and patience that the position afforded me.
I grew up in a family wealthy of love. Both of my parents were Haitian immigrants and that really had a strong influence on my art and outlook on life. Their focus on education exposed me to a variety of critical subjects at a young age. Philosophically, I believe the height of human existence lies within the creation and appreciation of the arts.
Artist such as Jean Michel Basquiat, Romare Bearden, and Salvador Dali have inspired me most to take my artistry to new heights. Similarly, I use vivid colors in my works to tell stories and evoke emotional responses. I like to call my work fresh, forward, and mindful. Great portions of my works are introspective collages. They speak to the intersection of history, music, religion, and politics. Hip Hop has also played a major role as an influence on my artistry. I seek to seamlessly blend graffiti, folk, graphic, and multimedia aspects into my pieces. Art for change is my mantra. A portion of the proceeds from all sales are set aside for our youth arts initiative.
Thank you,
Charles Philippe Jean-Pierre
