Mathieu Bories

Who is Mathieu Bories 

Mathieu Bories is a French contemporary artist whose work stands at the crossroads of urban art and ancient culture. Now based in Montreal, Mathieu has spent more than two decades redefining the boundaries between street art and fine art, building an international following among collectors and institutions.

Mathieu is best known for his ornamentally rich, baroque-inspired works that merge global cultural motifs with the visual language of contemporary urban art. His signature painted rugs—intricately detailed portraits of women layered with ancestral patterns—challenge the viewer to reflect on identity, heritage, and the erosion of individuality within modern mass culture. Each work becomes a celebration of humanity’s diverse traditions, urging the preservation of difference in a homogenized world.

After completing a Master’s degree in Art in Toulouse, Mathieu moved to Montreal, where he began exploring collage, stencil, and mural techniques that would become central to his practice. A later journey through South America expanded his visual vocabulary as he painted murals across Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Bolivia, and Colombia, connecting his art with local histories and communities. His work can now be found on walls and in galleries across France, Spain, Canada, the United States, Mexico, and beyond.

Throughout his career, Mathieu has exhibited internationally, with recent highlights including VOLTA Art Fair and Art Karlsruhe with Christian Marx Gallery in Düsseldorf, the Frieze group show with Galerie Bartoux in London, and a major exhibition at the Sharjah Islamic Arts Museum in the UAE. His participation in prestigious fairs such as Art Miami, Context Art Basel, and FIAC After in Paris further solidifies his presence on the global stage. Mateo’s works have also appeared at Pratt Institute in New York, Affenfaust Galerie in Hamburg, Urban Art Fair in Paris, and the MURAL Festival in Montreal. Earlier milestones include Art Basel Wynwood in Miami, Montreux Art Fair in Switzerland, and the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris—affirming his recognition among today’s leading contemporary artists.

The French artist's fusion of ornamentation and contemporary imagery extends across diverse media—from walls to ceramics, fabrics, and canvases—creating a visual bridge between traditional craftsmanship and urban expression. His works often evoke nostalgia and romanticism, echoing what he calls a “monologue of the soul,” where photography, forgotten documents, and memories intertwine into layered visual poetry.

Over the years, Bories has exhibited alongside world-renowned artists such as Shepard Fairey (Obey), Mr. Brainwash, JonOne, Basquiat, Keith Haring, Warhol, Miró, Picasso, and Dalí, a testament to his growing stature in the contemporary art world. His ability to weave ancient aesthetics into the modern visual landscape positions him as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary urban art.