Born and raised in Montreal, to Malagasy immigrant parents, Will Raojenina (known as WCMTL) is a multidisciplinary artist whose work delves into the intricacies of human connection. Now based in Los Angeles, he channels his lived experiences into a powerful exploration of emotion and the struggles that shape individuals across all walks of life. Through vibrant pieces, WCMTL invites viewers to look beyond surface differences, fostering empathy and deeper understanding through art.
WCMTL’s creative process is rooted in material innovation, blending figurative portraiture with abstract elements to create tactile and visual experiences. His signature use of heavy textures and found objects—ranging from basketballs and tennis balls to shopping carts—transforms everyday materials into powerful metaphors. These compositions bridge the familiar and the abstract, imbuing each piece with layers of meaning that resonate universally.
What brought you to LA?
My wife is originally from Los Angeles. A few years after we got married, we left Montreal and moved to Washington, DC, where I worked at the Canadian Embassy. When I saw a job opening at the Canadian Consulate in LA, I asked my wife what she thought, and her response was clear: "Let’s go." It felt like the right move both professionally, personally, and for my art career so we made it happen.
How do you find inspiration for your art pieces?
My inspiration comes from lived experiences—both my own and those of people in my community. Everywhere I go, I observe people. Whether I’m at the beach, riding my bicycle through the city, or my daily rides in the LA Metro, I pay attention—especially to those who seem to be going through something. I imagine their stories and try to translate that emotion into my work.
In a world filled with division, my work serves as a reminder that empathy is not a weakness, but a powerful strength. True understanding begins when we look beyond the surface, resist the urge to judge too quickly, and instead choose to pause, be patient, and make the effort to truly understand one another..
How do you stay connected to Canada?
Working at the Canadian Consulate keeps me closely connected to Canada on a weekly basis. I also stay in touch with family and friends back home in Montreal, and I regularly follow Canadian news to be up to date with what’s happening back home.
What advice do you have for those starting off in multidisciplinary art?
The art world can be tough to navigate, and it's easy to feel discouraged. When that happens, we risk losing our spark because we are not creatively motivated. But don’t give up. Stay focused. Keep creating, no matter what.
Push yourself to network and share your work as much as possible. The opportunities are out there—but you have to go get them. Knock on those doors. Your creativity matters, and your art can make a difference.
What’s next for you?
I’m currently working on a new 12-piece art series titled Connect Through Empathy, which is a socially engaged art series that challenges the human tendency to judge others but instead, to put ourselves in each other's shoes. Alongside that, I’m in the early stages of launching a nonprofit that will bring inspiring artwork into schools in underserved neighborhoods, as well as into community organizations that support people in need. Art has the power to motivate, to heal, and to bring hope. And those walls, especially in places where hope is needed most, deserve it.
More Info on WCMTL: https://wcmtl.com/