SOKAZO AT THE RAG ;July 13 – September 9 ,2007: SHIFT;;Philippe Sokazo’s colourful paintings present a combination of interpreted and invented landscapes.  The artist uses recurring pattern and colour to weave narratives expressing the responsibility of individuals in contributing to a positive evolution of society through creative thought and action.;Sokazo was born in France and moved to Vancouver in 2005.  He studied at the Beaux-Art School in Paris and has exhibited his work in solo and group exhibitions in France, Spain, the United States and Canada.  Sokazo’s work is held in many public and private collections including the Borda Museum of Dax and the Toulouse Museum of Contemporary Art. [Biography - Philippe Sokazo - 2Ko]

1960 Born in the South of France in 1962, raised in a family of musicians and art collectors between Paris and the French Riviera. 1980 After studying Ethnology at the University of Toulouse, is accepted into the prestigious Beaux-Arts School in Paris yet soon decides to seize an opportunity to live in Miami where he works for Teen Magazine as Art Director. He holds the first public exhibition of his paintings there, before travelling the world for inspiration: New York, London, Prague, Madrid, Bombay... 1990 Back in Europe, his work is presented in various galleries and museums along side world-renowned artists like Alechinsky, Chilida, Riopelle and Matsutani of the Japenese Gutai Movement; all endorse Philippe's style and professionalism. 2000 Challenged by the Industry to apply his Art to manufactured luxury objects, such as jewellery, sculpted rugs, cement tiles, cigar humidors, wine bottles, fashion apparels and cars... these objects become part of the Sokazo World and are shown together with paintings in travelling exhibitions. Settles in British Columbia in 2005 where he found new inspiration, light and energy. "Explosive paintings!" Robert Villenave Mayor of the City of Anglet (France) "Generous artworks, saturated with overpowering colors where grow geometric forms, waves, circles and ethnic signs. Abstraction that hits the retina. Seduction is immediate." Anne Tautou Art Critic "Philippe Sokazo's work particularly strikes me by the opulence of multiple effects opposed to a remarkable apparent simplicity in the making and in the iconic organization of forms..." Denis Milhau Chief-Curator of the French Patrimony and Professor of Art History at the Ecole du Louvre (Paris) Appointed member of honor by the city of Toulouse (France).Philippe Sokazo's Art can be found in public and private collections in the USA, Canada, Spain, Andorra, France, UK and Japan. [Biography - Philippe Sokazo - 3Ko]