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David Bicari is a visual artist who works under the pseudonym LeBicar. In recent years, he has become increasingly more visible on the Montreal art scene, notably thanks to Bloom, his iconic hand drawn flower. As LeBicar’s collaborations continue to expand in numbers, Bloom follows the same beat.
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Sometimes simple black lines on a white background, sometimes a symbol of emancipation, Bloom is gradually pollinating Montreal’s urban landscape.
You may have seen it on skateboards, surfboards, projected on buildings across Quebec, displayed at Livart, or on socks... and now on a new collection from Shop Café Bloc!
LeBicar comes from Montreal’s street culture. Visual artist, art director, producer, and skateboarder in his spare time, it’s in the streets of the city and through the skateboard community that he has found inspiration and emancipation.
From both an internal perspective as a Montrealer or from an external view of the city, LeBicar has always considered Montreal to be a beacon for artists. The city remains his main source of inspiration. Since moving to the country and taking time away from distractions to create his art, he now has a different perspective on the city and skateboarding community that has made him appreciate it all the more.
LeBicar immersed himself in skateboarding, the counterculture sport that is nurtured by the people and the community. Skateboarding was his way of exploring and living a passion. "That's where I discovered learning to learn, being persistent, falling down and getting back up," he explains, "That moment of grace when you succeed doesn't last long, but you always try to capture it again."
Skateboarding has provided him with a profound understanding of all the passionate people of this world. “Whether someone is passionate about climbing, guitar, or cycling... I can relate to the importance that these hobbies can take in their lives, and how they push them to surpass themselves.”
It’s also this mantra that has guided him, and continues to guide him, through his artistic journey: passion and community above all.
His flower project, Bloom, is reminiscent of the tags and graffiti that adorn the urban landscape and acts as a character that can embody both everything and anything. "Bloom does everything that allows emancipation... or simply, to bloom," David proposes. This flower, which can be seen performing various everyday activities, has the power to be as anonymous as it is singular. Anyone and everyone can relate to it in any way. LeBicar tries to exploit this concept in as many ways as possible, and he believes that this is the power of creativity.
The goal of such a versatile illustration is to exploit it to its maximum, to have it displayed everywhere, and to make it live as much as possible. "The bolder it is, the more it succeeds," he says. That's why he continues to make Bloom accessible: both on clothing and in print, anyone can take part in the project. In other words, it’s the people and the community that make his art come alive. This is the main reason why the LeBicar creates his art: to bring people together.
"We live in a society where people need to understand through others, and art has the power to ignite a discussion, a spark..." —LeBicar
It comes as no surprise, then, when he tells us that his creative approach is motivated by his desire to connect with others. Whether he is creating or purchasing art, he places more importance on the artist’s journey rather than on the finished product. Needless to say, the man behind LeBicar is very down to earth, sensitive, and... human. These traits explain his preference for more organic and spontaneous art. He strives to understand the state of mind of the artist when they create, and this is more difficult when a piece is too polished.
"I am always looking for a flaw, the faint trace of a pencil or the ink mark that’s too rough... these flaws are what humanizes the art. It's what I look for in other people's art, and in my work too," he adds.
It’s in motion and spontaneity that he feels the emotions of an artist. He therefore finds it interesting not to let an idea mature too much. As a self-taught artist, he maintains that it’s repetition that makes perfection, not overthinking a concept.
“The strength of art lies in the fact that it’s more emotional than it’s mechanical.”
Following this principle, David Bicari draws in a very spontaneous and intuitive way. In the midst of a discussion with a blank page, he lets his creativity flow, and produces and explores for hours on end.
“My studio is really a safe space for my spontaneity and creativity,” he explains. “In my garage, I can spend five hours just drawing through sheets of paper and exploring new ideas”.
His intuitive and somewhat messy pencil stroke has become his trademark. His strict use of a thick black line on a white background is undoubtedly the simplest and most effective way to express a complex concept. Although he works with the strongest contrasts and comes from Montreal’s street culture where marginal ideas and lifestyles often emanate, LeBicar does not consider himself a radical artist.
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“When you work in black and white, everything lies within the nuances. There's something to be said about extremes, but I don’t feel like being radical as an artist allows space for discussion.”
Instead, he focuses on sending a message of hope and resilience, something that fits his personality quite well. David’s eternal optimism transpires through to his dynamic and fun art. Nonetheless, he tries not to play the “happy idiot”, too much: “There are always times of doubt. Yes, [my art] is optimistic, but there is a distinction to be made. When I will get tired of drawing flowers and telling the world that life is good, maybe the flower will wilt, or maybe it will be become something more sad.”
In the meantime, LeBicar continues to keep Bloom alive as much as possible, his flower that is not yet ready to wilt!
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