Fafi b. 1975

Fafi is one of the major historical figures of the French urban art scene. As early as 1994, she introduced a painted female character into public space, marking a rupture within a landscape largely dominated by the male codes of graffiti. The appearance of her Fafinettes — frontal, sensual, ironic figures blending humor, desire, and unapologetic domination — inaugurated a singular narrative universe that has continued to evolve over the decades.

By 2002, her work had entered the gallery circuit and begun circulating internationally. She exhibited in Paris before gaining immediate recognition in the United States (Los Angeles, New York). Her 2006 exhibition at Colette marked a turning point: the iconic Parisian concept store, then at the epicenter of the creative scene, helped establish Fafi as a defining figure of her generation, positioned between street culture and contemporary urban art. This visibility quickly extended to Asia, where she gained lasting recognition.

For more than thirty years, alongside her solo exhibitions across Europe and the United States, Fafi has developed a fully realized imaginary world: The Carmine Vault — both the title of her early-2000s graphic novel and the fictional matrix of her artistic practice. Populated by liberated female figures, recurring characters such as Birtak, and sensual, dominant alter egos, this universe unfolds through a highly recognizable iconography in which desire, power, and the staging of the body articulate a feminism freed from imposed roles.

A cross-disciplinary artist, Fafi works simultaneously in the street, in galleries, and through numerous collaborations with international brands including M·A·C Cosmetics, adidas, Swatch, Chanel, and Hennessy. Her editions and collectible figurines are regularly celebrated at major international pop culture events such as Comic Con, while her painting practice continues to evolve toward a more introspective and narrative dimension. Her work is currently experiencing renewed critical and curatorial interest across Europe.

 

Now based in the Basque Country, south-west of France, Fafi continues to paint illegally in public space — with a brush… and sometimes still in high heels — asserting a performative gesture where posture, femininity, and action merge. In parallel, she develops drawings, watercolor works on paper, and paintings on wood panels and canvas in her studio in San Sebastián, deepening the painterly and scenographic dimension of her universe.

Cosmopolitan in spirit, fully independent and cross-disciplinary, Fafi has built over the past three decades a singular body of work — consistent with her universe and firmly rooted in painting.

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SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2026 - Sugar, Spice & Boys’ Tears, Galerie Chenus Longhi, Paris (FR)
2024 - Nature, Galerie Very Yes, La Réunion (FR)
2023 - Baby Rave and Petrol Stains, Galerie Ducôté, Biarritz (FR)
2021 - Love and Fafiness, Corey Helford Gallery, Los Angeles (US)
2015 - Fafi 2.0, Galerie LJ, Paris (FR)
2012 - Solo Show, Galerie LJ, Paris (FR)
2012 - Providence, Guéthary (FR)
2011 - Providence, Guéthary (FR)
2006 - File dans ta chambre, Colette, Paris (FR)
2004 - Mademoiselle Pretty Depressing, FourXFour, Los Angeles (US)
2003 - Solo Show, Sixspace, Los Angeles (US)
2003 - Solo Show, Abstrait Galerie, Toulouse (FR)
2002 - Kick It!, Heartgalerie, Paris (FR)
2002 - Solo Show, Prosper Gallery, New York (US)
2002 - Solo Show, Galerie Can’art, Toulouse (FR)

 

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GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2026 - Beyond the Streets Paris, Paris (FR)

2025 - The Rolling Collection, ADDA Gallery, Barcelona / Ibiza / London / Paris / Tokyo (ES / UK / FR / JP)
2024 - Le Musée Imaginaire d’Oli, Les Abattoirs, Toulouse (FR)
2024 - Curated by Aya Takano, Hidari Zingaro, Tokyo (JP)
2023 - Wish You Were Here, Éditions DuCôté, Biarritz (FR)
2021 - Fafi & Friends, Hope Gallery, fundraiser (US)
2021 - Group Show, Magasin Bellevue, Salies-de-Béarn (FR)
2020 - ASKS, Corey Helford Gallery, Los Angeles (US)
2020 - Hello Kitty Anniversary, Corey Helford Gallery, Los Angeles (US)
2019 - Seeing Red, Thinkspace, Los Angeles (US)
2019 - LAX / SFO, Heron Arts, Los Angeles (US)
2018 - Kaleidoscope, Institut Bernard Magrez, Bordeaux (FR)
2014 - Nouvelle(s) Image(s), Gaîté Lyrique, Paris (FR)
2014 - Like a Rolling Stone: a Rock & Roll Reflection, Nucleus Gallery, Los Angeles (US)
2009 - Queenz Arrive, Mc Craig Wells Gallery, New York (US)
2009 - Vanguard Fair, Thinkspace Gallery, Miami (US)
2009 - Group Show, Galerie LJ, Paris (FR)
2008 - Graffiti Show, The Show Room, New York (US)
2007 - Une Estivale 2007, Galerie LJ, Paris (FR)
2006 - Étoiles Urbaines, Espace Beaurepaire, Paris (FR)
2006 - Out of Door, After Modern Gallery, San Francisco (US)
2005 - Group Show, Art Déco Station, Paris (FR)
2003 - Le Club, Palais de Tokyo, Paris (FR)
2002 - Group Show, Taxi Galerie, Paris (FR)
2001 - Exposition Graffiti, Galerie du Jour / agnès b., Paris (FR)

 

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PROJECTS, BRAND COLLABORATIONS & EDITIONS

2024 - Spring Capsule Release, NTWRK (International)
2024 - Featured Editions, DesignerCon, Las Vegas (US)
2022 - Back to School with Eastpak, Citadium, Paris (FR)
2021 - Fafinettes Portraits, International Series (Tokyo / New York / Los Angeles / Hawaii) (JP / US)

2012 - The Carmine Vault, International Book Launch Tour (Mexico City / New York / London / Paris / Tokyo) (MX / US / UK / FR / JP)
2012 - Artwork Collaboration, Azealia Banks “Atlantis” Music Video (US)
2011 - Art Direction & Video Collaboration, Mademoiselle Yulia “Gimme Gimme” (JP)

2010 - Artist Series & Sneaker Collaboration, adidas (International)
2010 - Capsule Collection, Undiz (International)

2008 - Commissioned Artwork Project, M·A·C Cosmetics (International)
2008 - Collaborative Art Project, Coca-Cola (International)

2007 - adidas Originals “Sleek Collection” Launch, Tokyo (JP)
2007 - LeSportsac x Fafi Capsule Collection, New York (US)

2003 - Sony Time Capsules Toy Character Series (International)

 

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MURALS & PUBLIC INTERVENTIONS (selection)

2019 - Le Mur, Oberkampf, Paris (FR)
2019 - X-Girl x Fafi launch mural, Tokyo (JP)
2018 - POW!WOW! Long Beach (US)
2018 - Little Festival, Capbreton (FR)
2017 - Life Is Beautiful Festival, Las Vegas (US)
2017 - HVW8 Gallery, Los Angeles (US)
2016 - POW!WOW!, Tokyo (JP)
2016 - POW!WOW!, SXSW Austin (US)
2016 - POW!WOW!, Montréal (CA)
2016 - JustKids, Berlin (DE)
2016 - WOPS! Festival (Artistic Director), Toulouse (FR)