Jeremy Caillé, professionally known as Jeremi Ca, is preparing to turn a new page in his artistic career by hosting his first-ever studio clearance sale. The 40-something artist, who has been painting for 18 years and living in Lanvallay, Côtes-d'Armor, for the past seven years, has become renowned for his massive participatory murals that bring entire communities together in creative collaboration.
While Caillé works solo on his personal art projects, he is far from solitary in his approach to community engagement. Like a conductor leading an orchestra, he has developed a unique talent for uniting fellow citizens around monumental artistic works. His personal artwork features meticulously distorted lines in blue, green, orange, and pink that create optical illusions, playing tricks on viewers' eyes through concave surfaces, reliefs, and deceptive vortexes.
For the past decade, Caillé has been intensively focused on research involving colored lines and optical illusions in his personal work. However, this absorbing and almost obsessive research led the professionally curious artist, who thrives on meetings and exchanges, to seek a way to break free from his isolation. This desire for connection led him to create the association "Couleurs" in 2020 in Lanvallay, which he describes as "a very open community where we can experiment."
Through his association, local residents have been repeatedly invited to unleash their imagination on various public surfaces, including the back wall of sports stands and throughout one of Lanvallay's neighborhoods. One notable project called "Lann Balao" involved creating colorful totems in collaboration with the CCAS (Center for Social Action) and another artist, where residents participated in painting sculpted poles. "Getting people to paint is something I've wanted to do for a long time," Caillé explained.
The Couleurs association works with municipalities as well as schools, middle schools, specialized care facilities, and ESATs (establishments and services for disabled workers). "Through art, we can address all subjects," Caillé noted, emphasizing the universal language of creative expression. His community projects regularly involve between 150 and 200 people ready to paint together, creating collective works that become a source of pride for all participants.
In addition to his community work, Caillé also provides corporate team-building services through another entity called "Couleurs and Co." He works primarily with large companies on very short-duration projects, often just two hours, which presents a real challenge. During these sessions, he collaborates with other artists around a specific theme and, acting as a conductor, manages to unite 150 to 200 people in creating a collective artwork. "Team building often has a recreational aspect. Initially, people are a bit surprised and amazed. Afterward, they're pleasantly surprised by the experience," he observed.
One particularly successful project was commissioned by Terres d'Armor Habitat for their employees gathered at the Lamballe stud farm last year. The social housing provider was so satisfied with the results that they repeated the experience this fall, this time organizing creative meetings with residents who were invited to create a mural covering approximately 100 square meters.
These collaborative exchanges have had a profound impact on Caillé's artistic perspective. "These interactions take me out of my lines, onto other terrains. I like working in different styles and this versatility," the artist acknowledged. "I also have a desire to take a small turn in my professional work. Personally, I love working on optics, lines, and movement, but it requires an enormous amount of time. I want to move toward something more spontaneous, more light."
This desire for change has prompted Caillé to organize his first-ever studio clearance sale as the year comes to an end. Alongside his "Lines" series, ranging from his "Rainbow City" works to his iridescent pieces, the artist is also parting with other series that have marked his personal career. Prices start at 50 euros and go well above that for certain pieces.
As he prepares to paint a new chapter in his artistic journey, Caillé hints that the future might include a more participatory aspect to his work, bringing his career full circle. The studio sale operates by appointment only and can be arranged by calling 06 86 23 93 12. More information about his work can be found on his website jeremica-art.net and his Instagram account @jeremi_ca.
