C-Space is proud to present the solo exhibition “1/1 ” of French artist Eltono.
 
Eltono (1975) worked in Madrid for the last decade, and since 2010 lives in Beijing. He started his street art career with the usual tools of the trade – spray paint cans. After ten years of writing graffiti, his practice diverged as he evolved his artistic style using acrylic paints and tape to develop an abstract geometric language. Eltono is known for his constructive criterion and his sensitivity to medium and location. He always improvises his forms and colors "in situ" to integrate with the existing balance. He chooses neglected surfaces with the intention of reviving their dignity and making use of their aged textures and abandoned states. The paintings of this prestigious yet humble artist can be found on the streets of more than eighty cities. He has shown his works in many world-renowned galleries and museums, including the Tate Modern and Fundacion Miro and participated in Liverpool's Biennial. Over the last twelve years, the development of Eltono’s work in galleries has focused on finding solutions to address the problems of showing public art in private indoor spaces.
 
Eltono's 1/1 project aims to bring contemporary art to the street and the street into the gallery. Bringing art to unexpected places has been the goal of this French artist since he started painting abstract geometric figures in the street back in 1999. At the entrance of Caochangdi there is a sign that reads “Caochangdi Art Village”. However, when Eltono came for the first time, he was surprised to find an almost tangible frontier dividing the village and the galleries. After spending a few days in Caochangdi it became clear to him that the people who come to visit the galleries often miss the village, and very few villagers go and visit the art galleries. During his one month residency in Caochangdi, Eltono decided to use his paintings to create a link between these two worlds.