David Aiu Servan-Schreiber

David aiu Servan-Schreiber (1989) is a French-born contemporary artist, best known for his paintings on panel, light installations, and sculpture. Servan-Schreiber is a London-based artist, though also works from his Paris studio.
Early Career
David aiu’s career began in his home town of Paris at the age of thirteen, first working as a street artist. While working as a street artist, Servan-Schreiber developed an interest in developing artworks that would serve primarily as a social commentary, and he also began to fine tune his ability to work with spray paints during this time.
By the age of fifteen, Servan-Schreiber began to introduce experimentation with stencils into his artistic practice. From a thematic standpoint, he also began to question religion which became increasingly apparent in his artwork.
Servan-Schreiber left Paris to Switzerland in 2008 and then moved to London in 2012 where he set up his first studio in Central London.
Works
Servan-Schreiber has four notable series of artworks to date.
His first series completed in London in 2013 is entitled Sloane, which is a series that clearly demonstrates his transition from street art to a more refined style on canvas. Done in a style of graffiti known as lines, the Sloane series drew heavily from the street art that had influenced Servan-Schreiber during his early career in Paris. This collection is one that alludes to the school punishment of repeatedly writing lines on a chalkboard, whereby the word ‘Sloane’ is repeatedly sprayed on panel
His second notable series of works is titled Idilian, produced in 2014/2015. The Idilian series consists of approximately 30 works, primarily done in oil paint on panel. This is the first series whereby David aiu begins to move away from a purely graffiti style, and opts instead to focus on calligraphic forms. The collection was conceived from Servan-Schreiber’s own personal struggle with writing, which caused him feelings of frustration from an early age. In response, the Idilian series allows for a freedom of expression using text and alphabet, whereby letters are re-appropriated in unconventional and deeply personal ways. The works therefore emphasize the aesthetic value of the alphabet, rather than the meaning of the text.
Servan-Schreiber’s third series is entitled Gold, and is an homage to the victims killed in the 2015 Bataclan terrorist attacks in Paris. Gold consists of five paintings, and shows the Parisian motto “Fluctuat nec mergitur” painted on wood. This series shows a transition from the Idilian series to his most recent collection, Planets, as the series incorporates both text and gold leaf.
The fourth and most recent series, Planets, highlights the spiritual aspect of planets. This collection is an interpretation of religion, whereby planets are treated aesthetically in a way that is reminiscent of religious icons, using gold leaf. The collection questions the origins of religion, and planets are used symbolically as a reflection on the spiritual nature of earthly existence. The Planets series features a variety of styles done primarily in oil on panel, and also includes several planet sculptures. This series has gained attention through various commercial commissions, and also earned Servan-Schreiber his first solo exhibition in London.
Exhibitions
Servan-Schreiber’s first solo exhibition was held in London in 2016 at Stephanie Hoppen Gallery, in Chelsea.
Collaborations
Servan-Schreiber has also worked on a number of commercial collaborations. Some of his recent notable commissions include:
Pomellato commission of Planet sculptures for Sabbia.
Patron Tequila Planet commission
Laita bag featuring designs from the Idilian collection
Graffiti created for Kiehl’s Soho Pop-Up store

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