“When young people discover that being an artist is a profession, it opens a new door for them. We need to show them that artistic careers are not so far away, and that they have the right to explore, to try and to find their own place.”
Benjamin De Oliveira Silva, also known as Ben Dos or BENDOS, is a French multidisciplinary artist who brings together hip-hop dance, street art and artistic direction. A former professional dancer, he developed a distinctive visual language based on brightly coloured hands and movement. His colour blindness and dyslexia — which he calls his “superpowers” — have become creative forces and a way to encourage young people to turn visible or invisible difficulties into strengths.
Through murals, performances and participatory workshops, Ben Dos works with local communities to challenge stereotypes and make their stories visible. His project Le Projet Humain, developed in Clichy-sous-Bois, involved residents in creating monumental murals and a live performance celebrating mutual aid and the richness of the city, beyond its media image. He also leads the Réverbe project, where young people create their own upcycled clothing brand through graphic design, sewing, screen printing, photography and fashion shows.
