Jean-Philippe KALONJI A comic-strip artist and self-taught illustrator.
Jean-Philippe Kalonji born and has been
living in Geneva since 1973. Passionately fond of drawing and the graphic
arts, he follows the course of art schools and decides very early on to launch
out to study the arts, though according to his own research methods, as a
genuine self-taught artist.
From illustrations to posters for various books and societies, the young artist
excels in the techniques of black-and-white, a sophisticated mixture of India
ink and charcoal pencil, of which he is the sole true alchemist. Thus
attracting attention, he rapidly enters the world of publishing, for which he
still works today.
Through the productions of the publishers Atoz and Paquet, Jean-Philippe
Kalonji first presented, by means of stories (Street Nations, Jungle Blues) de
environment from which he hails: the urban culture. But he does not limit
himself to this well-defined world and first love; he moves on to other
spheres and opens himself up to all that surrounds him.
From a profound critique of Genevese society (Helvethika series), through
poetry (Mélancholie), tackling contemporary history and comedy (O’Malley series),
Jean-Philippe Kalonji, curious, innovating, finally returns to the classics and
to the western seen through modern eyes (Las Chicas).
Several times his eclecticism has enabled him to open up the world of strip
cartoons to other partnerships and other arts, e.g. music and photography, in
order to unite these worlds.
Jean-Philippe Kalonji’s works, which are sold all over Europe and the
French-speaking world, with their characteristic stroke, immediately
recognizable in the graphic arts world, have also been exported under other
skies and to other environments. Not only has he contributed to a Swiss
(Passage) and a Swedish (Nada Magazine) art magazine, but he has also
collaborated with SONY Records, being in charge of the graphic art of the
CD cover of artist Wyclef Jean.
Guided by his passion for music and sport, the young self-taught artist has also
distinguished himself in event coverage, conception of video clips (Speeka UK)
and in the search for design for various sports brands (Burton, Rossignol).
Always having in mind the obligationsand the powers of communication that an
artist may possess, he has been able to put his art to good use, serving culture
on themes like integration and xenophobia through large organisations
(Artsouthafrica, Pro Helvetia, Institut français d’Afrique du Sud, Geneva
Department of Education), and through making his work accessible by means of
seminars and courses (EPAC).
In the context of this same mission: opening up all forms of comic strip arts,
regardless ofthe medium, Jean-Philippe Kalonji presents his latest work for
Netho Prod.: 365 Samourais and a few bowls of rice. (See:www.nethoprod.com, kalonjiart world )
Participation in a collective album for the 700e, anniversary of the swiss
confederation, 1991, ATOZ Editions.
• Street Nation, 1992, ATOZ Editions.
• Kékrapules - Collectif international, 1993, ATOZ Editions - Mille Putois.
• Jungles Blues, 1994, ATOZ Editions.
• Collectif sur la musique, 1994, Editions Skatano.
• Drozophile (fanzine GVA), 1995, Editions Humbert Droz.
• Prophétie, 1997, Editions Paquet.
• Helvethika, 1998, Editions Paquet.
• Helvethika, 1999, tome 1, Editions Paquet.
• Innuat, 1999, collectif, Editions Paquet.
• Helvethika, 1999, tome 2, Editions Paquet.
• Helvethika, 2001, tome 3, Editions Paquet.
• Mélancolie, 2001, Editions Paquet.
• O’Malley, 2002, tome 1, “La Liste”, Editions Paquet.
• O’Malley, 2002, tome 2, “Mary“, Editions Paquet.
• Las Chicas, 2004, tome 1, “La main rouge”, Editions Emmanuel Proust.
• Waraba, 2006, tome 1, “Les Gardiens”, Editions Vents d’Ouest.
• 365 Samouraïs, 2007, Livre-objet, Netho Prod. Editions.
• SOS Aircraft, collective, 2007, Festival BD FIL Lausanne.
Passage, autumn 1996, numero 21, a swiss cultural magazine.
• Ecleftic, 2000, Wyclef Jean, Sony Records.
• Grand Prix Skateboarding, Lausanne, 2002, parutions :
- The Box Magazine
- Transworld
- Lodown
- Big Brother Magazine
- Thrasher
- Skateboarder Magazine.
• Art Southafrica, Spring 2002, numero 01
• Comic Brew, september 2002-march 2003, South Africa, seminar.
• Jonas Emery, 2003, snowboard design Proteam Rossignol.
• Romain de Marchi, 2004, snowboard design Promodel Burton Uninc.
• Colère noire, 2004, Roland Godel, Edition OSL.
• Speeka UK, xxx, Storyboard for video clip.
• Nada Magazine, xxx, Sweden, icon-themed illustrations.