Artwork information

Category

Painting

Technique

Watercolor on paper

Date

2015

Dimensions

43 cm x 43 cm

Dimensions with frame63 cm x 63 cm

Signature

Signed and dated

State of conservation

Very good

Framing

Yes

Location

Toulouse, France

Description

Tilt created the cover for Libération’s February 12, 2015 issue and stated:

“I decided to approach this cover through the lens of dual reading, with or without context. It’s a concept I explore a lot in my work: imagining the dual existence of a subject, an object, etc.
Here, I see two things. First, obviously, a disgusting social phenomenon: young girls being kidnapped, a mafia exploiting them.
And then, when I decontextualize the image and forget the headline, I see something else. A suggestive staging, a particular iconography, an atmosphere, in short: an erotic image.
It’s the high heels that trigger this second interpretation for me. I’m a fetishist, both at heart and in practice. I’ve been collecting stiletto heels for quite some time.”

Provenance

Private collection

The artist

Painter
Drawer

Tilt

Born in 1973
France

Bio

Tilt is a renowned graffiti artist born in Toulouse in 1973, internationally recognized for his bold, colorful style rooted in the traditions of classic graffiti. A self-proclaimed “graffiti fetishist”, Tilt has been exploring urban lettering since the late 1980s, blending raw authenticity with vibrant energy to create works that resonate far beyond the streets.


A Career Born in the Streets, Shaped by the World

Tilt’s journey began in 1988, when he tagged his first graffiti on skateboard ramps. Very quickly, the urban landscape, trains, walls, streets, became his primary canvas. For him, graffiti became a means of exploring individual freedom and challenging the boundaries of public space.

A true globetrotter, Tilt has left his mark in nearly 40 countries, including the United States, Japan, China, Thailand, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Senegal, and Hong Kong. He has exhibited in iconic cities such as New York, Paris, Tokyo, and London. These travels have greatly enriched his practice while reinforcing his strong visual identity rooted in street art culture.


A Distinctive Style: The Art of the Bubble Letter

Tilt has developed a unique and instantly recognizable style based on the "throw-up", bold, rounded letterforms painted quickly with just two colors. His love for the bubble style, with its soft curves and voluminous shapes, reflects both his deep connection to graffiti’s classic roots and his obsession with curves, often referencing the female form, a recurring theme in his work.

By reaffirming the visual power of pure graffiti, Tilt proves that simplicity can be just as impactful as complexity. He rejects hyperrealistic effects in favor of a direct, raw, and powerful visual language. His vibrant color palette, clean lines, and dynamic compositions make his pieces burst with energy.


From Streets to Museums: A Key Figure in Contemporary Street Art

Tilt is represented by prestigious galleries such as Galerie David Pluskwa in Marseille, and has successfully transitioned from the streets to the contemporary art scene. He notably took part in the Epoxy exhibition during the Rose Béton festival in Toulouse and has collaborated on projects with influential artists like Futura 2000, Craig Costello (KR), Boris Tellegen (Delta), and Mist, including exhibitions at the Musée des Abattoirs in Toulouse, France.

Tilt also creates immersive installations, painted objects, and large-scale murals, constantly blurring the lines between raw urban art and contemporary visual expression. His abstract, instinctive language, centered on gesture, trace, and site-specific context—offers a multifaceted reflection on what it means to paint in urban space.


Tilt: Between Urban Art and Contemporary Expression

Today, Tilt stands as a global reference in graffiti, respected for both his artistic vision and his ability to push the genre's boundaries. Still deeply connected to his roots, he continues to paint in the streets where it all began, with the same intensity, freedom, and passion for the graffiti gesture.

Tilt is also the author of several books combining graffiti and photography, including Fetish Bubblegirls, My Love Letters, My Egodrips and Photograffitiltism, publications that have become essential reading for street art enthusiasts.