Jean-Michel Basquiat

BRUCE MERITTE is, above all, the artistic director of his own life.
Born in Paris on Sunday, April 7, 1968, at 10:55 PM, Bruce started his life with a cry that already meant "enjoy your fuckin’ life"—a motto that would later govern his every action, to the point where he had it tattooed on his arm so he would never forget it.
After getting his Baccalaureate, he enrolled at ASSAS while simultaneously attending business school, but what really thrilled him was the world of "the Night." He quickly became an essential figure in the best Parisian nightlife, organizing parties in the most iconic and popular clubs in the capital. From "Bus Palladium" to "Les Bains," passing through "Le Palace," "Chez Régine," and even "Le Duplex," no venue could resist his innovative ideas before he eventually became the owner of the "Villa Barclay," a legendary club in the 90s.
Curious, a jack-of-all-trades, and eager for new experiences, he later worked with Fabien Ontoniente on the soundtrack for the film "Camping," then with Sébastien Chabal during the 2007 Rugby World Cup, and for the brand S.T. Dupont, for whom he created the DJ Case.
In 2009, upon the death of Michael Jackson, he had the idea to photograph the figurines he had been collecting since he was very young. He owns more than 500 of them. From Casimir to Marilyn Monroe, including Steve McQueen, Frank Sinatra, Barack Obama, and Daft Punk, no character escapes him. A collection acquired over the years by hunting in flea markets, garage sales, and spending hours searching on the internet.
Behind this collection hides a big kid who doesn't want to grow up. He stages them, photographs them, and very quickly began exhibiting his creations, first at the Galerie Think & More, then at the Black Block at the Palais de Tokyo, as well as at the Fouquet’s and the Galerie Pierre Cardin. The success he encountered earned him the privilege of being included in prestigious sales at Artcurial and Drouot.
His influences lie on the border between pop art and advertising—which is not really a coincidence, as his father was the head of an advertising agency in the 80s where he spent a lot of time.
His works often offer a dual reading behind a positive message. He draws his inspiration from life, at the corner of a street, in a book, while listening to music, or during his numerous travels. Another hobby: music, which is part of his DNA and will always hold a great place in his life.
An eternal optimist, Bruce has chosen, despite life's ups and downs, to always see the positive side of things. In fact, every morning in front of the mirror, he repeats to himself: "HAPPINESS IS A HABIT," one of his favorite phrases that his friend Jean-François Magne taught him a long time ago. His life is a succession of improbable encounters that have allowed him to experience magnificent moments. Sometimes provocative, he likes to disturb and shake people up to lead them to reflect. A word of advice: if you hope to run into him, you’d better be a night owl!