Biography - Raphael Zelfa

My practice is rooted in Narrative Urban Abstract Expressionism—a style that allows me to explore the friction between the external chaos of the world and the internal sanctuary of the mind. Using street art techniques, raw textures, and freehand graphite illustration, I map out contemporary visual palimpsests that act as personal and cultural mythologies. In each painting I travel from a very somatic activity to a content driven narrative drawing one . There is always a dialogue between my internal world and the external reality.

Raphael Zelfa born in France in 1973, contemporary artist whose practice is rooted in Narrative Urban Abstract Expressionism. Fond of large-scale, deeply textured canvases, his work serves as a visual arena for somatic alchemy—the physical translation of raw bodily intuition and external friction into structured visual form.

His paintings operate as contemporary palimpsests. They deliberately contrast a chaotic, Dionysian background of lively acrylic impasto, drips, splatters, spray paint, and street stencils with a calm, Apollonian central sanctuary. Inside these geometric windows, intimate graphite drawings of classical archetypes, childhood iconography, and personal symbols find a quiet place to exist.

For a few years, Raphael Zelfa has explored this boundary between urban noise and interior silence.

Influenced by urban street art, Abstract Expressionism and personal narratives, Raphael Zelfa‘s work creates a unique dialogue between global pop culture, ancient art history archetypes, and deeply personal memories.

He holds a degree in Fine Art from University of East London. His work is held in private collections and he continues to work and create from his studio in Es Migjorn Gran (Menorca).

Born in Vesoul, France in 1973

Lives and works in Es Migjorn, Menorca, Spain

Education:

2005 BA Honours Fine Art, UEL University of East London

2002 Foundation in Art, London

Exhibitions:

2026: Gran Migjornale

2026: Opening Menorca

2025: Premi ciutat de Mao de pintura, Spain

2025: Premi de pintura, Ferreries, Spain

2025: Group Show / Solo exhibitions in Es Migjorn Gran

2024: Gran Migjornale, Spain

2024: Premi ciutat de Mao d’esculptura, Spain

2024: Premi de pintura, Ferreries, Spain

2023 Nits d’Art, Mercadal, Spain

2023 Premi ciutat de Mao de pintura, Spain

2023 Premi ciutat de Ferreries de pintura, Spain

2023 collective Es Migjorn Gran, Spain

2022 Migjornale, Spain

2022 collective, Es Migjorn, Spain

2022 Premi ciutat de Ferreries de pintura

2022 Between painting and music, Solo exhi

2021 Group show, Es Migjorn Gran, Spain

2021 Bonsai, Solo exhibition. Es Migjorn Gran, Spain

2020 A virus among us, Solo exhibition, Es Migjorn Gran, Spain

2019 Chrismas collective, Es Migjorn Gran, Spain

2019 Figures, Solo exhibition. Es Migjorn Gran, Spain

2019 Group show, Es Migjorn, Spain

2016 Gran Migjornale, Spain

2015 Ignorance is bliss, Es Migjorn, Spain

2013 Group show, Deptford, London

2012 Open studio, Deptford, London

2011 Open Studio, Deptford, London

2010 Group show, Lewisham, London

2009 Group show,APT Gallery, Deptford, London

2008 Art fair, Milan, Italy

2007 Group show, Wansworth High Street, London