Rugby N°58 (2019)

Henri Ibara was born in Algeria in 1950 when Algeria was French. Considered dead at birth, he was brought back to life in extremis. Very early, Henri Ibara discovered violence through an electric family context and the war of independence. As a child, he was gifted in drawing and through this gift he expressed his fear of the world by creating a personal universe.

When he arrived in France in 1962, his mother abandoned him and he was raised by his father. Adolescence of revolt and despair where he experienced wandering, obesity, humiliation and successive failures. It is through a drastic diet and the practice of sports (cycling, karate, judo, rugby, basketball and especially running) combined with a great will that he managed to overcome all his trials.

In 1968, he met the Italian painter Mario Carrarra, who initiated and trained him in all the techniques of pictorial art for more than ten years. Henri Ibara then collaborates with many brands and private companies: Honda, Bouygues-constructions, Danone, EADS, Boiron, BNP, Peugeot... 

In 2014, Henri Ibara presents for the Nike brand on the theme of soccer, a live painting show on giant canvas accompanied by music. This was the trigger. He then decided to undertake a new collection devoted in large part to sports that he entitled "The Red Men".

Each "Red Man" is unique. For him, they represent a concentrate of positive energy that rushes to the rescue of an often desperate world. They are like antibodies in a sick body, they carry strength, joy and hope. His life testifies to this.

Ibara has also participated in television programs such as "Vivement Dimanche", "Nulle part ailleurs", "40° à l'ombre" as well as several news reports (France3, France2, TF1, M6, Canal+ etc...). Since 2009, Henri Ibara lives quietly in the countryside. He shares his time between his live painting shows, his workshop work, sports, reading and writing.