In the alleyways of Paris, on gray walls, metal doors, and electrical boxes, you can find vivid faces and penetrating gazes. These are the works of C215, one of the most prominent and influential figures in the French and international street art scene. His creations are not just paintings; they are emotional portraits that bring color, depth, and a personal story to every urban corner.
C215, whose real name is Christian Guémy, was born in Paris in 1973 and is now considered one of the greatest stencil artists in the world.
Unlike many street artists who carefully protect their anonymity, C215 never tried to hide. Christian Guémy began his career in the late 2000s and from the start chose to focus on human subjects: the homeless, children, the elderly, refugees, and all those who are often overlooked in the public sphere. In doing so, he turned street art into a medium of empathy, compassion, and social visibility.
The Language of Stencil
C215 specializes in stencil technique – cutting precise templates that allow him to create complex layers of color. What makes him unique is his ability to take this simple technique and develop it into multi-layered works rich in detail and vibrant hues.
His portraits are built from sharp black lines and bright colors – blue, turquoise, orange, and pink. The final effect gives a sense of life and movement, as if the figures are breathing from the wall.
Portrait as a Social Lens
What defines C215’s work is not only its aesthetics but also its subjects. He focuses on those rarely represented: homeless people, refugees, women and children from conflict zones, and sometimes animals. His portraits act as windows into invisible worlds, forcing passersby to stop and look at those who are usually unseen.
“I try to give visibility to those who have no voice. For me, the street is the right place for that – the place where we all share a gaze.”
Paris as an Open Gallery
Paris is C215’s main canvas. His works can be found in almost every arrondissement:
• In the 13th arrondissement, near the large murals, smaller and detailed pieces of his can be found.
• In Montreuil, the suburb where he lives, he has transformed entire streets into a living gallery.
• Near metro stations such as Gare d’Austerlitz or Belleville, his portraits add color to the urban environment.
Placing his works in everyday locations serves his purpose: to bring the faces of the unseen into public view.
One notable mural by C215 in Montmartre (Rue Saint-Rustique) is a clear tribute to the artists and historical figures of the district.
The figures depicted are:
- Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec – shown with a round hat and pointed beard, associated with Montmartre’s nightlife and his famous posters for the Moulin Rouge.
- Vincent van Gogh – shown with his familiar beard and expression, who lived in Montmartre with his brother Theo in the late 19th century.
- Pablo Picasso – depicted as a young man with a hat and coat, who worked in his early Paris years at the Bateau-Lavoir studio in Montmartre.
- Amedeo Modigliani – known for his elongated female portraits, who also lived and worked in the district.
C215 places them side by side to create a visual pantheon of Montmartre – combining his personal style with figures that have become symbols of the neighborhood.
Between Street and Gallery
Like many artists, C215 moves between the street and commercial spaces. His works are sold in prestigious galleries and exhibited in museums, but his heart remains in the street.
“The gallery is a place for those who seek art. The street is where art finds people.”
This balance between the commercial and the social, between fine art and street art, makes him one of the most interesting voices of his generation.
Special Projects
Beyond his street work, C215 has taken part in numerous public projects worldwide: permanent installations on historic buildings, educational collaborations with children and youth in Paris, and partnerships with major museums – including the Louvre, where he created portraits inspired by classical works.
Art of Protest
Alongside its aesthetic and social sides, his art also carries a clear political message. He addresses themes such as freedom of expression, human rights, refugees, and the fight against racism. Through his portraits, he gives these issues a face and confronts us with moral questions.
While Paris is his home, C215’s works can also be found in many cities around the world – New York, London, Berlin, Rome, and others. Everywhere he goes, his faces become universal symbols of humanity and compassion.
C215 is far more than a stencil artist. He is a visual poet who tells stories through faces and leaves a mark on every wall he touches. The streets of Paris would not look the same without him, and his contribution to global street art is immense. For him, each piece is not only a creation but also a statement: art can change the way we see people and the way we see ourselves.
Instagram: @christianguemy
Among the artists whose works appear in the series of posts on street art and graffiti in Paris: SETH (Julien Malland), C215 (Christian Guémy), Vhils (Alexandre Farto), KASHINK (Maëva Martinez), Vale_Stencil (Valérian Lenud), The Pop Suréalist, The End of Animals (THE END), L’Empreinte Jo V (La Dactylo), IPDO (I Pixel di Oplontis), Mathieu 1976 (Mathieu Dussaucy), DJERADI LUDOVIC (Ludovic Djeradi), JR, Invader, Miss.Tic, Jef Aérosol, Blek Le Rat, Speedy Graphito, Hopare, Astro, Ardif, Ludo, Levalet (Charles Leval), Jo Di Bona, Monsieur Chat (Thoma Vuille), Zevs, Combo CK (Combo Culture Kidnapper), Alëxone Dizac, Tilt, Lek & Sowat, L’Atlas, Romain Froquet, Philippe Baudelocque, Jérôme Mesnager, Vinie Graffiti, Kalouf, Maye, A-MO, Clet Abraham, OakOak, Ender, Mosko et Associés, Codex Urbanus, Ella & Pitr, Dourone, Shaka (Marchal Mithouard), Raphael Federici, Pboy, Sismikazot, Kurar, Gregos, Tarek, Jace, Nasty, Doudou Style, FKDL, RNST, Zepha, Jerk 45, Onemizer, Bault, Polar Bear, Céz Art, Guy Denning, SP38, Zeer, Dume, Tanc, Kaldea, Antistatik, Reso, Woizo, MadC, Jober, Abys, Guaté Mao, Psyckoze, MonkeyBird Crew, Mantra, Aude Villerouge, Loraine Motti, Jean Faucheur, Jibé, Bom.K, Gris1, Aéro, JBC, Le MoDuLe De ZeeR, D*Face, Shepard Fairey, Banksy, 2Shy, Aroe, Babs, Bates, Brusk, Can2, Case Maclaim, Chanoir, Create, Darco, Dize, Gyz, Insane 51, Jaba, Jonone, Katre, Marko 93, Noé2One Mizer, Pro176, Remio, Schuck2, Snake, T-Kid, Tony Noel, Vision, Zenoy
Paris Street Art Map
Street Art in Le Marais Paris
Street Art Along Canal de l’Ourcq
LUDOVIC – Urban Chaos
Mathieu 1976 – Angels in Paris
IPDO – The Smurfs on the Wall
The Women of L’Empreinte Jo V
The Pop Suréalist
KASHINK – Paris’ Female Voice
Spot 13 – Paris
La Promenade Plantée – Paris
Street Art Avenue Paris
Street Art in Montmartre
The Giant Mural Project in Paris
THE END OF ANIMALS
The Belleville Character
VHILS – Carved in Stone
59 Rivoli – Alternative Art in Paris
The Children of SETH
