KURAI AURA
@kurai.aura




ENIGMATIC PRINCE is a piece I first created back in October of 2024. I just had the random thought to take my favourite silver chain and with my camera, I captured its movements using slow shutter speed. Once I did that, I went into photoshop and started playing around with layers and duplicating the image until I had created a glowing blue symbol I called "STAR” and a cross, which I named “KUREIOMA”. I then merged both the symbols and dubbed the artwork “KUREIMOA X STAR”. However, I wanted to add an edgier side to the piece which I felt would represent my gothic enigmatic character. So once again I took a chain, but this time a spiky choker, and I repeated the same process as I did for “KUREIOMA X STAR”. I then used a blank black canvas and added heavy grainy texture and overlaid “KUREIMOA X STAR” with the duplicated spiky choker. “ENIGMATIC PRINCE” serves as the source of my creative powers. It represents the entire lore of KURAI AURA. From its gritty texture, mixed with its high contrast edgy decor, decorated with a bright glowing blue star, the piece is meant to capture the rebellious and unflinching nature of my duality.

ENTRY POINT is a photo that was taken during a summer trip to Quebec City. The body of water is actually the St.Lawrence River, and the image superimposed is of a statue I took inside the Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral. Visiting Quebec City during the summer time on the boat, I was genuinely blown away by how vast the St. Lawrence River is. I just kept thinking about how the water connects not only Quebec City and Montreal, but just life in general. Thus “ENTRY POINT” was created as a way for me to express the mystiqueness of the waters. Despite its intimidating depth, there is a beauty that’s meant to be seen, discovered and admired. “ENTRY POINT” is a gateway to a realm of enigmatic dreams and endless opportunities.

GEN Z is a photograph that was taken during Mural Festival 2025. Similar to one of my favorite visual artists Daido Moriyama. As a street photographer, I tend to put technical skills last. Instead, I focus on intuition, and I’m constantly walking at a frenetic pace capturing spontaneous scenes. What makes “GEN Z" special, is the fact that all of my strengths as a photographer are on full display. I know I had just previously stated that for street photography, I tend to put technical skills last. However, when I was chilling by Velours Studio, watching the crowd of people pass by, in front of me was a young man sitting next to a tree. I waited a couple of seconds, because I felt that if somebody would sit next to the young man, then maybe a potentially captivating candid moment would arise. Luckily for me, that’s just what happened. Entered two young ladies, whose outfits instantly captivated my eyes. Why? Because the whole premise of my entire body of work explores urban isolation. From the outfits, to the debris on the floor, the pensive gazes, and the detached nature of all three individuals. For me, this photograph perfectly summarizes our generation's complexities.



About the Artist

Darlens Leveque (KURAI AURA) is a self-taught multifaceted Haitian-American-Canadian visual artist and poet, who is currently based in Montreal, Quebec. By merging photography, poetry, and designs, Darlens utilizes "The Enigma KURAI AURA” to convey a monochromatic multi-layered urban noir inspired stories, which touches on subjects pertaining to: solitude, identity, and memory.

A bold and avant-garde voice in the art world. His work is known for its intuitive raw layered textures, which encourages viewers to embrace authenticity and introspection.

“By weaving poetic narrations with visual interplays such as photography and
graphic designs with bold forms, I strive to create a unique language
based on pure intuitive individualistic authenticity. My visual style is known for employing a high contrast textured palette, which aids me to touch on topics regarding: solitude, identity, and authenticity.

Avant-Garde is how I would describe my mentality when it comes to art.  
I refuse to conform, and I seek to showcase to viewers that introspection and getting to know oneself on a deeper more
intuitive level is something we should embrace.”

All artworks and images remain the property of their respective artists.
Images may not be shown to scale. Actual dimensions are indicated below each artwork.
Artwork has been curated by the art director and does not necessarily represent the artist’s intended layout.

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