ITS Contest 2026 – Steven Chevallier – Out Rage

Society and the streets have a profound influence on both Steven Chevallier’s work and personal life, and the current intense social climate marked by war, protests, and conservative politics is at the top of his list. Young people fighting for their freedom deeply inspire him. At the same time he also draws inspiration from history, particularly from queer artist-activists like Derek Jarman and David Wojnarowicz. Their work and activism during the AIDS crisis of the '80s and '90s have been particularly influential in how they stood up against a political right that persecuted marginalized communities, including immigrants, women, religious groups, contemporary thinkers, artists, the disabled, the sick, and the queer community. Paying tribute to them is essential for Steven, as they fought for the freedom of his community. Project selection motivation Steven Chevallier dives head first in the current social and political arena with the strength of his technique and his historical references, for the preservation of a community which is, once again, menaced by narrow-mindedness. He does so by balancing out every reference included in his work, and by translating his exquisite artistic sketches - which would deserve a commentary of their own - into a form of wearable visual protest built on expert styling and technique.