Jazzu Yann Zurano

Jazzu (Yann Zurano, born in 1983 in Toulouse) is a self-taught French painter. His artist name combines "JAZ", for his passion for music, and "ZU", the first syllable of his surname. He works as a specialist educator with hearing-impaired children and paints outside this job.

His first exhibitions took place in Deauville, at the La Bohème gallery, in the late 2000s. Paris, Brussels and Hong Kong followed. In 2019 Jazzu left special education to devote himself entirely to painting. Galerie Serventi in Toulouse shows his work on a permanent basis, and Galerie Blanche in Montreal gave him solo exhibitions in 2022 and 2024. His work can also be found in galleries in Switzerland and Luxembourg.

Jazzu first draws his characters in black pencil, then paints the inside of the shapes. Handwritten phrases are then added to the canvas. Among his influences he names Basquiat, Dubuffet, Combas and traditional African art. He paints in a studio set up in his home in Toulouse.

Jazzu has also produced collaborations, including wine labels for Château Terre Fauve in 2021 and a supporters' scarf for Toulouse Football Club.