Manuel Fernandez, known as KiKo, is a French painter born in 1985 in Martigues. From an early age, he showed a natural talent for drawing, using it as a way to express emotions he found difficult to put into words. Initially working in the maritime industry, he later embraced his true passion for art and fully dedicated himself to painting in 2017.

KiKo’s work is deeply inspired by childhood, both in its innocence and its fleeting nature. His signature series, Les Mômes, features expressive portraits of children, evoking both nostalgia and deep emotional intensity.

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His artistic approach blends street art and expressionism, favoring raw emotion over strict realism. He begins each piece with a charcoal sketch, his gesture driven by an invisible force, creating energetic and striking lines. Working primarily with multicolored Chinese inks, he produces fluid and dynamic compositions, where colors blend and intertwine in an almost organic way.

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A key feature of his work is the use of resin, which seals his paintings and gives them a unique depth and intensity. This transparent resin layer acts like a magnifying glass, enhancing the richness of colors and strengthening the contrast between light and shadow.

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KiKo’s art has gained international recognition, with exhibitions in major cities such as Los Angeles, Miami, Hong Kong, Singapore, and across Europe.

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Passionate about defending children’s rights, he actively supports various charitable organizations, using his work to raise awareness and promote social causes. His growing success is a testament to his ability to touch viewers, awakening in each of us the wonder and emotions of childhood.