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Draft:George Camille

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George Camille
Camille in 2025
Born (1963-09-01) September 1, 1963 (age 62)
Mahé, Seychelles
EducationBlackheath School of Art and Goldsmiths, University of London
Known forPainting, etching, mixed media
MovementCreole culture depiction
AwardsLifetime Achievement Award, Seychelles Arts Awards (2025) African Culture Fund recognition (2023)
Websitewww.georgecamille.com

George Camille (born September 1, 1963) is a visual artist from Seychelles.[1]

Early life and education

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Camille was born on the Island of Mahé, Seychelles in 1963[2] His father, of Cantonese descent, relocated to La Digue around 1973 to manage a bakery at La Passe, while his mother remained on Mahé to ensure her children's education; during school holidays, Camille worked in the bakery. At around age ten, he won a national schools poster competition for the new Catholic Bishop's accession, receiving a Bible and an invitation to the inauguration. He attended St John Bosco school.[2]

Aspiring to study fine art, he instead received a government-sponsored scholarship in textile design after assisting a local polytechnic program in screen printing, which led him to study at the Blackheath School of Art and subsequently Goldsmiths, University of London during the 1970s, where he experienced cultural shifts in punk-era Britain and developed an appreciation for surrealism and imaginative expression over technical replication. Initially self-taught in his youth, these formal studies shaped his eclectic style.[2]

Career

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Camille opened as his first gallery in the Seychelles in 1997 within an old wooden colonial house in Victoria, Kaz Zanana (Pineapple House)[3], the restoration was done by the late carpenter Ton Louis. It displays his paintings, etchings watercolor, pencil and pastel drawing, silk painting, acrylic and relief collages.[4] This more than a century old traditional wooden house is built entirely of local hardwood, with carved pineapple motifs in its balustrades. Kaz Zanana is one of the few remaining creole houses that embody the old traditional style found during Seychelles' colonial period.[5][6]

In 2011, he and his local art colleagues formed the Association of Creative Entrepreneurs, which advocates for the standardization of art business in the archipelago and works directly with the government on policy making.[7] Later in 2014, he founded the Seychelles Art Projects Foundation to support and promote Seychellois artworks internationally.[7]

As of March 2026, he participates in international exhibitions and was the first Seychellois artist to attend the Beijing Biennale[8] and the Venice Biennale[9], where he represented Seychelles three times at the latter.[10] [11][12]

Notable works

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Solo Exhibitions

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  • 2023 – "Seychelles My Soul". Italy, Rome[13]
  • 2023 – 'Si Loin, Si Proche' exhibition of Segou' Art 2023. Contemporary Art Fair of Mali, Segou, Mali[14]
  • 2019 – 58th International Biennale di Venezia, Seychelles Pavilion, Venice, Italy[15]
  • 2015 – 56th International Biennale di Venezia". Seychelles Pavilion, Venice, Italy[16] ,[17],[18]
  • 2011 – "Coco de Mer". Palmen Garten, Frankfurt, Germany[19]
  • 2007 – "Volets d'une ile a L'autre". Kaz Zanana Art Gallery, Victoria, Seychelles[20]
  • 2006 – "A Seychelles Journey". Exhibition of etchings and embossed copper at Red T Gallery, Beijing[21]

Group Exhibitions

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  • 2020 – "UNITED NATIONS - symbol of life, freedom & happiness" 'Inter-Art' Foundation from Romania[22]
  • 2019 – 8th Beijing International Art Biennale, Beijing, China[8]
  • 2017 – "57th International Biennale di Venezia ". Seychelles Pavilion, Venice, Italy[23]
  • 2000 – "Le Monde Creole". Martinique.[24]
  • 1993 – "Creole Impressions ". L'Plantation Club Hotel, Baie Lazare[25]

Awards and recognition

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  • 2025 – Lifetime Achievement Award and an Arts Entrepreneurship and Innovation Award — Seychelles Arts Award 2025, Seychelles[26]
  • 2023 – Trophy in recognition of the ambassador to the African Culture Fund (ACF)[27]
  • 2020 – 8th Seychelles Chamber of Commerce & Industry Business - Life Time Achievement for George Camille and Best Creative Establishment for George Camille Studio[28]
  • 2019 – Visual Artist of the Year — Seychelles Arts Award 2019, Seychelles[29]
  • 2017 – First prize for Biennale Seychelles 2017, Seychelles[30]

References

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  1. ↑ "How a new generation is transforming adventure travel in the Seychelles". www.nationalgeographic.com.
  2. 1 2 3 Amia, Hajira (9 July 2013). "Up Close … with George Camille, artist and entrepreneur-'Art and culture has the potential to become the third pillar of the economy' -Archive -Seychelles Nation". Seychelles Nation. Retrieved 2026-03-19.
  3. ↑ "Kaz Zanana". www.lonelyplanet.com.
  4. ↑ "Secrets of the Seychelles Islands". Retrieved 2026-03-19.
  5. ↑ "The Art and Culture of the Seychelles". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2026-03-19.
  6. ↑ Tissières, Hélène (1 November 2020). "Beyond Political Tensions: 2019 Ségou'Art | Festival on the Niger". Nka: Journal of Contemporary African Art. 2020 (47): 94–113. eISSN 2152-7792. ISSN 1075-7163 – via Duke University Press.
  7. 1 2 Varbanova, Lidia (4 October 2016). International Entrepreneurship in the Arts. Taylor & Francis. pp. 240–243. ISBN 978-1-317-54900-0.
  8. 1 2 "George Camille, first Seychellois artist for Beijing Biennale 2019 after strict selection". Seychelles Nation. 14 September 2019.
  9. ↑ "'A Clockwork Sunset' at the Venice Art Biennale: first-time participation paves the way for more Seychelles artists". www.seychellesnewsagency.com.
  10. ↑ Duarte, Adelaide; Pérez-Ibañez, Marta, eds. (7 August 2023). "The Art Market and the Global South" (PDF). Brill Publishers. ISBN 978-90-04-68043-2. Retrieved 2026-03-19.
  11. ↑ "Venice Biennale Seychelles Pavilion 2017". www.contemporaryand.com.
  12. ↑ "Biennale Arte 2019; Republic of Seychelles Pavillion". www.labiennale.org. 7 May 2019.
  13. ↑ Esparon, Sunny (17 June 2023). "Local artist George Camille holds first solo exhibition in Rome". Seychelles Nation.
  14. ↑ "George Camille at 19th Segou'Art Festival". Seychelles Nation. 6 February 2023.
  15. ↑ "Biennale Arte 2019; Republic of Seychelles Pavillion". www.labiennale.org. 7 May 2019.
  16. ↑ "George Camille and Léon Radegonde to represent Seychelles at Venice Biennale -Archive -Seychelles Nation". Seychelles Nation. 10 February 2015.
  17. ↑ Baumgardner, Julie (8 May 2015). "Five Countries Crowdfund Their Way to a Venice Debut". Artsy.
  18. ↑ Morel, Genevieve; Uranie, Sharon (8 June 2015). "'A Clockwork Sunset' at the Venice Art Biennale: first-time participation paves the way for more Seychelles artists". Seychelles News Agency.
  19. ↑ "Seychelles' treasures on display in Frankfurt -Archive -Seychelles Nation". Seychelles Nation. 7 May 2011.
  20. ↑ "George Camille's exhibition opens on Mahe -Archive -Seychelles Nation". Seychelles Nation. 22 December 2007.
  21. ↑ "George Camille's work evokes the mystical splendour of Seychelles -Archive -Seychelles Nation". Seychelles Nation. 26 August 2006.
  22. ↑ "Seychellois artist unites with peers in intercontinental online art exhibition". Seychelles Nation. 23 October 2020.
  23. ↑ "Venice Biennale Seychelles Pavilion 2017". Contemporary And (C&). 11 May 2017.
  24. ↑ "Seychelle Köztársaság Konzuli Képviselete". seychelles.hu. September 17, 2020.
  25. ↑ "George Camille showcases Seychelles' vibrant art and culture at La Nuvola in Rome". Seychelles Nation. 27 December 2023.
  26. ↑ "Seychelles National Arts Award 2025". Seychelles Nation. 28 July 2025.
  27. ↑ Dine, Juliette (26 February 2023). Bonnelame, Betymie (ed.). "Seychellois artist George Camille awarded trophy from African Culture Fund". Seychelles News Agency.
  28. ↑ Lepathy, Marie-Anne (20 January 2020). "8th Seychelles Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) Business Award ceremony". Seychelles Nation.
  29. ↑ "Winners of the Seychelles Arts Award 2019 receive prizes". Seychelles Nation. 23 December 2019.
  30. ↑ "Seychelles Arts Award 2017/Biennale of Contemporary Arts -Archive -Seychelles Nation". Seychelles Nation. 15 January 2018.

Further reading

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