City by Paul Raynal

Appropriating the aesthetic culture of pasted posters, this dynamic work ranks among the most stimulating contemporary urban creations. Thanks to the combination of classical cinema icons and mass animation, the artist Raynal Paul builds a visual bridge between two distinct artistic worlds. Named “City”, this production celebrates timeless elegance while plunging it into a resolutely modern context. It captures the cultural melting pot that characterized the end of the last century.

The center of the work is dominated by the iconic portrait of Audrey Hepburn in black and white, holding her elegant cigarette holder in her hand. This face full of charm stands out beautifully against a brilliant golden yellow background, bordered with red torn paper. On the left side, a childish Japanese anime character in purple and pink tones brings a playful and offbeat dimension. In the background, a dynamic collage overlays hand-painted typography in black, notably the mentions “DEPT No” and “in” on textured pink and red backgrounds. The use of expressive acrylic strokes and visible tears creates a fragmented composition full of energy.

Raynal Paul’s singular skill is revealed in the meticulous cutting of his successive collages. His sensitivity to textures produces a rendering that evokes the wild layering of street posters while maintaining great formal rigor. This complex assembly highlights exemplary technical rigor.