Jisbar
Jisbar, born Jean-Baptiste Launay in 1989, is a French pop-street artist. His work is a dynamic fusion of classic art references, contemporary culture, and personal iconography, creating a unique visual language that resonates with a wide audience.
Growing up in Paris, Jisbar was exposed to the rich artistic heritage of the city from an early age. His passion for art led him to experiment with various mediums and styles, ultimately finding his voice in a distinctive blend of street art and pop culture.
Jisbar is renowned globally as the first artist to reinterpret classical masterpieces—like Mona Lisa, Frida Kahlo, Klimt, and Warhol—through his distinctive pop and street art style. This innovative fusion has crafted a unique and influential identity, inspiring many artists and brands around the world today. These works incorporate clear references and a deliberate distance from the originals, aiming to pay homage in a humorous and unconventional manner. Jisbar's parodic creations are designed to elicit a smile and provoke thought, encouraging viewers to react, reflect, and engage with art and its boundaries. By adding graffiti, text, and modern-day references to these classics, he creates a dialogue between the past and present, inviting viewers to see familiar images in a new light.
Jisbar - Pablo Picasso (2021). Digital Print on Paper. Edition of 30. 50 x 70 cm.
Jisbar is most famous for his "Mona Lisa" series. This collection features vibrant reinterpretations of Leonardo da Vinci's iconic painting, blending graffiti, bold colors, and contemporary motifs to create a playful and modern twist on the classic masterpiece. This series exemplifies his signature style of combining traditional themes with modern artistic expressions, bridging historical reverence with urban and pop culture influences.
His imaginative and colorful takes on the Mona Lisa have positioned him as a notable emerging talent in the pop-art scene. For Jisbar, the Mona Lisa symbolizes a universal and timeless depiction of a woman from her era, making it vital to preserve its legacy while reimagining it for a contemporary audience.
In addition to his reinterpretations of classic art, Jisbar's portfolio includes original works that reflect his interests in music, fashion, and urban culture. His use of bright colors, bold lines, and layered textures gives his paintings a lively and energetic feel. Each piece is a reflection of his surroundings and experiences, capturing the essence of contemporary life.
Jisbar's work has been exhibited in galleries and art fairs around the world, including in cities such as Paris, Venice, New York, Los Angeles, London, and Hong Kong. His art is also featured in renowned museums, such as the Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi and the National Museum for the History of Immigration in Paris. At the latter, Jisbar presented his piece "Love is the New Fame" to the then President of France, François Hollande, during an exhibition condemning racism and antisemitism.
His international exhibitions have solidified his reputation as a global artist, appealing to a diverse audience with his playful and thought-provoking creations. He has also collaborated with various brands and musicians, further expanding his reach and influence in the art world.
Despite his success, Jisbar remains committed to his artistic roots, continually exploring new ways to express his vision. His art is a testament to his belief in the transformative power of creativity, challenging viewers to question their perceptions and engage with art in a meaningful way.
In summary, Jisbar is a contemporary artist whose work celebrates the intersection of classic and modern art. Through his innovative reinterpretations of historical masterpieces and original creations, he has carved out a unique niche in the art world, captivating audiences with his vibrant and thought-provoking pieces.
Jisbar: A Decade of Artistic Collaborations and Groundbreaking Achievements
For nearly a decade, Jisbar has partnered with various brands on numerous occasions. These collaborations have involved diverse projects such as partnerships, charity events, live performances, and brand ambassadorships. They have enabled Jisbar to explore different artistic expressions while providing brands with an opportunity to infuse their identity with a creative dimension.
Jisbar gained additional recognition for his tribute to Leonardo da Vinci on the 500th anniversary of the artist's death. He launched a new version of his reinterpreted Mona Lisa into space, where it hovered 33.4 km above Earth for over an hour and a half. The project was called "First Painting in Space," which required six months of collaboration with experts and the development of new techniques to withstand space conditions.This made him the first artist to achieve such a feat, which received extensive international media coverage.
Jisbar is also known for his collaborations with renowned brands, including BMW, Armani, LG, IKKS, and World MotoGP champion Fabio Quartararo, creating unique experiences for each. In 2017, he partnered with the French shoe company J.M. Weston to design customized models. In 2018, he collaborated with Armani Exchange on a capsule collection for their #st_ART collection. During his 2019 Bangkok exhibition, Jisbar customized three BMW M Cruise Bikes. In 2021, he created three pieces for the LG OLED Gallery, each with a different theme: Sport, Game, and Design. In 2022, he customized an F1 car for Ayrton Senna, presented at the Monte Carlo Grand Prix.
In 2023, following his 2022 custom helmet for Luis Felipe Pipo that raised over $13,000 for GRAAC, Jisbar is now participating in the 100th edition of the event to create the first art hypercar in collaboration with the Glickenhaus team. Additionally, after their initial partnership in 2021 for the Le Mans Grand Prix, Jisbar is now personalizing the complete equipment for Fabio Quartararo, the 2021 World MotoGP Champion, for the entire 2022 MotoGP season.
As a committed artist, Jisbar actively supports universal causes, such as environmental protection and the fight against racism. He participated in Ducati's #RaceAgainstCovid campaign, donating his piece "Ducati Mona Lisa '' to a charity auction, raising €170,000 for the Sant’Orsola Polyclinic hospital in Bologna. More recently, he donated a new painting to the Téléthon, a French charity event held every December to raise funds for neuromuscular disease research.
Selena Mattei
