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French Artist

DIMITRI ZOELLIN

Biography

 

Dimitri was born and raised in the French Alps, surrounded by nature. At the age of 9, he moves with his family to Arcachon, where he meets the ocean. As a passionate surfer since the age of 14, he started circling the globe in a search of perfect waves and meaningful adventures.

His love of the ocean led him to become a professional skipper. He crossed the Pacific and Indian oceans and cruised the Caribbean following his passion for travel, discovering remote places, and meeting new people. This lifestyle ultimately influenced the formation of Dimitri as an artist, shaped his style, and gave him boundless, like the expanses of the ocean, freedom of expression.

Bio/CV
Bio/CV

 

A pioneer of the world-famous wave Teahupoo in Tahiti, which he called home in the ’90s, he fells in love with French Polynesia where he remained for almost 30 years and befriended all legendary surfers and acquired a reputation as a prominent surfer and enthusiast painter.

Dimitri is a self-taught French artist. His painting style is a blend of different sources of Australian aboriginal culture, indigenous cultures in Southeast Asia, and his own acrylic texturing techniques. His art has always been evolving as he travels to new places and absorbs new ideas.

 

 His favorite way to express himself is through mixed media. It allows him to play with colors, shapes, and structures, creating unique collages and one-of-a-kind works of art. His paintings are colorful, emotional, and delightful. To facilitate his expression, he often opts for a large format. Occasionally he works with small canvas and paper.

Dimitri’s work defines the essence of raw art, outsider art. His artistic expressions are untamed. They go from animals to abstract, from oceanscapes to robots and beyond. His creations are rhythmic and vivid, primal and instinctive, as how nature had created them. The artist has included writing, scribbles, symbols, and a wide array of textures to create beautiful and striking statement pieces.

french artist

Dimitri works in his art studios located in different places. Wherever it is, Indonesia, France or Morocco, his workspace goes beyond the walls, and the garden, extending to the beach and the jungle. He wants to bring us on a journey back to nature and shares his passion and vision for the future.

Dimitri’s artworks are in private collections in Europe, the United States, Canada, Tahiti, Indonesia, Singapore, and Russia.

Bio/CV

Expositions

Climax festival at Darwin Eco-System, Bordeaux, France 2022
Chantier Naval Dubourdieu 222 years anniversary event, Gujan-Mestras, France 2022
La Vigie surf-shop & art gallery, Biscarros, France 2022
Galerie Artiane, Honfleur, France 2022
Luxemburg Art Prize 2021
FelizEye Art Gallery, Bali, Indonesia 2021
L.E.Store Gallery, St-Petersburg, Russia 2020
Blueseed restaurant & art gallery, Bali, Indonesia 2019
Show-room le 13, Annecy le Bulloz, France 2018
Les Frères Ibarboure Hotel, Bidart, France 2016
Lauderdale Marine Center, Florida, USA 2015
Nuovo Claude de Boysson, Bordeaux, France 2015

Residency Program

Darwin Eco-System, Bordeaux, France June-August 2022