Marilou Berry: the story of his companion Alexis, a highly demanded artist who has not always met with success

For their first public appearance, in the stands of Roland-Garros, in 2017, and his companion Alexis had concealed nothing from their feelings: laughter, little words whispered in her ear, facial caresses … The daughter seemed alone to the world on the court Philippe-Chatrier with. It was only to see the immense bond that bound them to imagine between them of the tomorrows that sing. Eight years have passed And it is clear that the couple still sing the melody of happiness, a happiness made more tangible since since, has come Expand their families in 2018.

If at the time, the actress had not hesitated to reveal her round belly on social networks, her private life remains her secret garden. “Above all, we are a family. We are a home where everything is going well. A dad and a mom is above all a duo. ”, Has she just explained in 2022 in the pages of Gala. A duo of which We most often see only halfbecause of the public profession that Marilou exerts. However, there is a lot to say about the other half, Alexis, says the diamondarywhose works are now known worldwide.

Marilou Berry was advertising for Alexis on his social networks

A few months After the formalization of his couple in October 2017Marilou granted an interview to Biba In which she somewhat raised the mystery on her new companion: “He started by sticking in the streets of diamonds painted inlaid with mirrors. He is now making superb pieces always around diamonds… We can follow him on his Instagram @LediaMantaire_Artist. And I’m not saying that because it’s my lover … “, she said happily. A lover who no longer needs advertising of his sweetheart so that her genius is recognized.

“I was a bad designer And I wanted to offer the street something more understandable, I wanted to donate a strong symbol: the diamond ”explained Alexis to our colleagues from France Info in 2018 when his name has already been circulating for many years in the world of street art and contemporary art. In fact of diamonds, these are mirrors from the recovery which he size, which he paints and which he then sticks in the streets, on buildings for example, by giving them the shape of a diamond, Hence his artist name.

Marilou Berry’s companion, forbidden to graffiti in his city of Caen

As he explains on his site, Alexis, born in Caen in 1987, discovered urban art in 2001. He begins by graffitiing the walls of his hometown, to the point that he ends up being spotted, and forbidden to practice this art. He then turned to the stencil and a more figurative approach. Trained in metalwork and boilermaking, he perfected his know-how, which he enriched in Paris in 2008 with visual communication training.

In 2011, he stood out in street art by imagining Its trademark: recycled mirrors, shaped in colored diamonds He first set up in Paris, then in major world metropolises like New York, Montreal, Los Angeles, Miami or Zurich. These creations, beyond their aesthetics, convey a message on the value of art accessible to all.

“I found the symbolism of creating diamonds from mirrors thrown in the fairly strong trash”he said in 2021 during an interview made to promote collaboration with Flav Joaillerie. He added: “There is a second chance idea, and also an interesting paradox between the solidity of the diamond and the fragility of the mirror in addition to the ephemeral practice of street art. Diamond is also a universal symbol of aesthetics and luxury. Paste a diamond in working -class neighborhoods makes it accessible And allows me to share my art with everyone. ”

Alexis (Diamantaire), a secret workshop in the Orne

From 2012, his work extends to galleries. His first solo exhibition in 2013, at the gallery Derouillonreveals its interest in various materials such as metal and wood. That year, he also created a monumental fresco to Los Angeles. In 2014, a patron offered him a 900 m² workshop. It is in this place kept secret from the Orne departmentas revealed by our France Info what the Diamondaire achieves his larger pieces like the one he titled 4000a monumental steel sculpture of four meters by four, or its steel diamond six meters high.

From now on, major brands call on him. For the Paris Olympics, he collaborated with EDF and the agency Path To imagine his vision of the Olympic swimming pool, while symbolizing photovoltaic panels. More recently, He imagined for Redbull A small carved refrigerator. The work, playing on the lights, represents both a technological and artistic challenge. A challenge commensurate with this brilliant jack-of-all-trades who does not hesitate to speak on Instagram to his community in a relaxed tone.

Alexis works are worth several tens of thousands of euros

Shortly before the Christmas holidays, his voice a little jaded, he thus explained without detour “The laziness of doing the influencer…” Namely, promote your works by posting videos on social networks. Mobile phone in hand, so he was content to offer a workshop tour to his followers To show them his latest creations.

Works that are now well listed. On the site ArtsPaperone of his creations, a steel sculpture and mirror of 80 cm per 80 cm sells 3,800 euros. On another site specializing in contemporary art, its magnificent Yellow Diamond 90 cm x 70 cm in steel and puffed color mirror appears at 8,500 euros. The price of talent … and no doubt, a raw jewel for Marilou Berry who in December 2020, released this little sentence: “Yes, my guy looks like Keanu Reeves!”