Bio

Will Raojenina, also known as WCMTL, is a self-taught multidisciplinary visual artist born and raised in Montreal Canada to immigrant parents from Madagascar. His colorful mixed-media works blend figurative and abstract art with layered textures, collages, and assemblages of objects, with his distinctive heavy texture as a hallmark.

WCMTL's artistic journey began in his early teenage years. His father faced constant discrimination at his workplace, which developed into mental illness and led to violent behavior and stress on the family. With negative feelings bottled up within him, WCMTL turned to sewing and painting on clothes as an escape. This creative outlet earned him the moniker WCMTL (Will Couture Montreal) from the kids in his community.

Drawing inspiration from his personal experiences and the shared resilience of his community in the face of adversity and discrimination, his art challenges misconceptions about immigrants and people of color in America. Each irregularity in his work symbolizes the complexities of collective struggles, showcasing resilience even in the lowest moments. His visual narratives portray immigrants and people of color as beautiful, hard-working, and joyful individuals. He invites viewers to transcend divisions and embark on a collective journey toward understanding and love.

Since immigrating to the United States a few years ago, WCMTL has been shocked by the high level of division and hate, especially towards immigrants and people of color, making his message even more important to him today.

WCMTL has garnered significant recognition, including invitations to be a guest speaker at Gensler, the world's largest architectural firm. He has exhibited his art at prestigious events such as Frieze Los Angeles, the Canadian Immigration and Refugees headquarters building in Ottawa, and numerous gallery shows. His work resonates deeply with the community, sparking conversations and connections across diverse audiences. Held in private collections across North America, his art testifies to his innovative vision.

As his talent evolves and his influence expands, WCMTL is determined to continue donating art pieces to organizations that support the community and developing art programs to give back.