French artist Seaty bravely crosses horizons and discovers fellowship

Renowned French contemporary artist Seaty, a pioneering figure of 21st-century urban art, has unveiled his first-ever solo exhibition in the UAE at La Galerie, Alliance Française Dubai (Oct. 1-24).

- Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

Titled Crossing Horizons, it is curated by Astrid Lesuisse in collaboration with Alliance Française Dubai, a nonprofit cultural institution founded in 1982 and part of the global Alliance Française network. Initially emerging from the 1990s urban scene, Seaty’s artistic roots lie in hip-hop and graffiti culture. Over the years, his signature style has won global attention, with prestigious galleries supporting his early “wild creations” as they entered the contemporary art market more than two decades ago, establishing his name across Europe. With Crossing Horizons, Seaty presents a curated selection of his most iconic works and enters the Middle Eastern market for the first time.

The artist marks the milestone through the unveiling of a new and monumental piece created especially for the exhibition. Bearing the same name as the exhibition, namely, Crossing Horizons, the latest work also signals a turning point in Seaty’s evolving aesthetic, embracing a more minimalist approach and a deeper exploration of emotional expression of his characters. Renowned for his mastery of street art techniques, Seaty’s paintings, predominantly in black and white with bursts of vibrant colour, draw on iconographic research across ethnic groups, tribes and cultures. Known for pushing the boundaries of traditional art mediums, he challenges the conventional use of canvas, by featuring an exclusive series of ten smaller works on crafted material echoing street concrete - a tribute to the genesis of his career and an entry point into his body of work. Seaty reclaims the street as a legitimate space for fine art, making it accessible and celebrated by all.