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Black Childish

Visual Artist
Amsterdam, NL
🇲🇶 🇫🇷 🇳🇱

Born in Martinique and based in the Netherlands, Black Childish (Mickaël Mehala) is a multidisciplinary artist inspired by his Caribbean roots, hip-hop, and global pop culture. While in Paris, he honed his vision and expanded his creativity. He gained recognition at the Dutch More Or Less exhibition at Het Nieuwe Instituut and has collaborated with platforms like Omek and WeTransfer.

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How do you see your Caribbean roots influencing the stories you tell through your art today?
My roots are quite present in most of my work, whether through vibrant colors, my characters and how they look and dress, or the environments they evolve in. My experience growing up in Martinique is a big source of inspiration. My goal has always been to bring more Caribbean representation into pop culture — filtered through my own lens, of course. 

What would you tell emerging artists trying to bring more of who they are — their identity, heritage, and personal story — into their work?
One thing I’ve learned is that nurturing your sense of uniqueness is priceless. Nobody else has your exact similar story, identity, ideas, or experiences — not even your siblings. That makes you the best person to tell your story. When you embrace that, your work naturally attracts the right audience, and that could be anyone — you never know who’s watching. My advice is to continue exploring your voice and colors, your themes, and your vision while perfecting your craft. Share your work with the world — it might lead to opportunities and connections you never expected :)

What’s on repeat in your playlist right now?

“Like That,” “Euphoria,” and “GNX” by Kendrick Lamar. Also, Nerka’s “On Son Ba’w” — an dope artist from Guadeloupe that I highly recommend!

Which dish brings you back to “home”?

A good “gratin de bananes jaunes”! It’s a dish made with plantains, bacon, cheese, and béchamel sauce — super simple and delicious. Google it; you’ll thank me later!

What’s something you want to carry forward from your ancestors?
Creativity, without a doubt. Across the diaspora, my ancestors have shaped music, art, and fashion in remarkable ways, often while facing hardships and adversity. Their creativity shaped our culture and continue to inspire new generations today.

If your bicultural journey were a book or movie, what would the title be?
The title would be “Sa ou pa sav gran pasé-w”, a Creole proverb from Martinique that translates to “What you don’t know is greater than you.” Since leaving Martinique at 18, my life has been full of unexpected highs and challenges, incredible friendships from all over the world, and life-changing experiences I could never have imagined.