Selected along with 13 other artists and six poets by the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, Quebec-born artist RIKXECOM is part of a group of creators brought together for the exhibition Being Well, Well Being, on display until April 4, 2026, in Lake Worth Beach. The goal of this event is to highlight that art can be a form of healing for the body, mind, and community.
Le Soleil de la Floride (LSDLF) interviewed RIKXECOM (R) about his career and what this exhibition means to him.
LSDLF: Where are you from and what is your connection to Florida?
R: « I was conceived in Montreal and born in Quebec City. But I’ve been in Florida since I was 12 years old. I’ve been living in Boynton Beach for four years. »
At the age of four, in 1964, young Richard underwent spinal surgery for severe scoliosis and kyphosis, resulting in an innovative surgical procedure, the first of its kind using the Harrington rod system, followed by five other operations.
He says of this period: « The Montreal Children’s Hospital was my first place of visual creation, as I was confined to a Stryker bed for months of recovery, in a full body cast, unable to even sit up. I developed skills and imagination in drawing. […] The restriction of my movements intensified my visual sense and deepened my connection to artistic expression—a connection that continues to this day. ”
LSDLF: What has been your creative journey?
A: “Photography began with a camera I received as a gift, launching a lifetime of photo hunting, first in black and white only, then with the advent of color, and finally adapting to digital. […] I will never stop creating as long as I have oxygen in my lungs! I am passionate about inventing new forms of visual art, and I have several projects in mind that are waiting for their moment to debut. I am at the cutting edge of technology, constantly evolving, and I welcome every new discovery with pleasure.“
LSDLF: What are your sources of inspiration?
A: ”Inspiration is an inner energy that is complex to explain in words. It’s a state of mind, an invisible force. My eye immediately sees the poses that nature presents, then it’s just a matter of doing them justice to capture the beauty of our planet. » He says that in Florida, he cultivates a garden of flowering plants that attracts monarch butterflies, giving him the privilege of observing their fragile cycle in nature up close.
LSDLF: How do you think the theme of Being Well, Well Being is relevant today?
A: « For me, well-being comes from nature. It’s about stopping, paying attention to its nuances, and savoring its splendor. When you really connect, you feel a rare energy that not everyone is offered.
It’s a shame, because it’s an energy that heals both the body and the mind. […] So why not take advantage of it? Life is short. »
For more information about the exhibition: go.palmbeachculture.com/event/being-well-well-being
Free admission.
And to learn more about RIKXECOM: www.rickart.gallery
