André Saraiva

photo credit Pierre Björk

André Saraiva is a Portuguese graffiti artist whose signature character, a mischievous smiley face called Mr. A, was ubiquitous in France during the 1990s. An established hotelier, restaurateur, and nightlife pioneer, he worked alongside André Balasz to program, design, and curate New York hot-spot Le Bain at the Standard Hotel. Saraiva also marked his foray into the world of cinema in 2011 with his film debut The Shoe starring Annabelle Dexter-Jones and Leo Fitzpatrick, as well as later making an appearance in art documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop. In 2012 Saraiva had his first New York solo show, “Love Letters,” at Half Gallery. Additional exhibitions include presentations at The Hole (New York), Anonymous Gallery (Mexico City), MUDE Museum (Lisbon), and MOCA (Los Angeles). He has helmed as the Editor-in-Chief and Creative Director of L’Officiel Hommes magazine, and has collaborated with Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Givenchy among others.