Maïté Côté is an emerging oil canvas painter based in Los Angeles, distinguished by her unique blend of surrealism and hyper-realism. Mentored by Michael Dargas, she creates evocative portraits that challenge the boundaries between reality and imagination. Her work explores complex human experiences through vibrant, thematically nuanced compositions.
In her latest series, The Altered Familiar, Côté invites audiences into an intricate dialogue, exploring the compatibility between typically juxtaposed thematic elements while celebrating the beautiful complexity of human experience through her masterful hyper-realistic technique. Maïté is a gracefully disruptive force in the international art world, offering a fresh perspective that resonates deeply with those who experience her work.
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Born in 1994 in Quebec’s Eastern Townships—a region renowned for its vibrant arts community—Maïté Côté discovered her passion for art early. Immersed in this creative environment, she collaborated with local collectives like Tour des Arts and Les Correspondances d’Eastman. These early experiences allowed her to collaborate with other artists, engage in workshops, and publicly showcase her work, laying a strong foundation for her artistic growth.
Her early promise soon led to an invitation to exhibit in the esteemed youth program at Montreal’s Museum of Fine Arts—a pivotal moment that encouraged her to pursue formal studies. She expanded her creative vision through Design studies at the Richard Robinson Academy of Fashion Design, further refining her technical skills and artistic voice. Building on this, she further refined her skills by enrolling for her Bachelor’s degree at Concordia University’s prestigious Fine Arts faculty in Montreal, where her raw talent and leadership qualities quickly stood out.
Maïté’s dynamic presence in the Montreal and Quebec Art Battle competitions in 2018 and 2019 further cemented her status as an emerging artist. Advancing to the national finals, she captivated audiences with her technical skill and creative energy, demonstrating her ability to thrive in competitive and high-pressure environments.
In recent years, Maïté has refined her unique style under the mentorship of internationally renowned hyper-realist artist Michael Dargas. Through his guidance, she has honed her technical expertise and developed a distinct individuality that sets her work apart. Her pieces are characterized by vibrant colours, authentic touches, and carefully selected contrasts that celebrate the beauty and uniqueness of her subjects. Her work has been lauded for its ability to deeply resonate with audiences, drawing them into an intricate dialogue between the real and the surreal. Beyond the canvas, Maïté has expanded her artistic scope to include murals, completing commissions across Mexico, the Caribbean, and Canada.
In Maïté’s latest series, The Altered Familiar, she continues to explore her fascination with identity and transformation, using hyper-realistic detail to bring a playful yet reflective lens to her subjects. This series highlights her technical mastery and reinforces her role as a storyteller of complex human narratives.
A gracefully disruptive force in the hyper-realist art scene, Maïté Côté’s work invites audiences to reflect on individuality, identity, and the fluid boundaries between reality and imagination. Through her evocative narratives, she creates deeply personal connections that linger long after the first viewing.