IRO MUSHOKU, GUADELOUPE, FRANCE

I use this name—Japanese for “colored” and “colorless”—for my art. It shows how much color’s expressive power is essential to my work. My inspiration comes from a complex mix of the Caribbean traditions of Guadeloupe (my roots), and the ultra-urban way of life of cities like Paris or New York. As a surfer, nature and the ocean are also important influences, as is music—particularly styles that carry the inheritance of Afro culture. I spent many afternoons listening to my father’s playlist: old school hip hop, roots reggae, jazz, and the rhythms of the West Indies. These sounds now become the colors and movements in my paintings. Art was a long road for me. I first painted to free my feelings, a kind of art therapy. Now I also paint to share my emotions and the singular way I vibrate with other people.