Tell us how your interest in graffiti came about and later in fine arts.
In 1998, I bought cans and went straight to a wall, located in an abandoned factory in Azeitão, Portugal. When this odyssey began, I just knew it was going to be my path. Not that I was going to be an artist, but that the contact between a wall, a can and me was undoubtedly a relationship for life. The first name I signed as a tag was 'son'. The way I used the can on the first day has remained the same over the years. It was a direct and instant connection. These were years of continuity and street painting. Later, 2012, an invitation for a solo show appears. I had never thought about graffiti in this way. The invitations quickly arrived, the work developed and I started to trace a path parallel to the street. The work in the studio. Today, I divide myself between both, because I cannot live without one, nor only with the other.
What are the most extraordinary points of working in this medium?
The most extraordinary thing is the possibility I have of being able to be and paint what I like the most. There are no words to describe what it feels like to carry out a work. It's a part of me. That goes into every painting I paint. It's a very special feeling.
During your career, which artists have inspired you?
Jackson Pollock. From the way he has always remained faithful to what he believed in to the style that characterizes him so much.
In her works full of intense colors, abstract elements and unions of patterns, she represents people. Are they people you know? Where does the inspiration for these portraits come from?
I was always brought up in environments where aesthetics were present and played a role in my daily life. My parents connected to fashion and decoration played an important role in the visual part. By including a character in my work, I am creating a fusion between what human beings can be and do in the environment in which they are inserted. The works contain figures created on purpose to fit my backgrounds, creating symbioses between them. Similar to what I think is a characteristic that human beings have: adapting to what surrounds them. In this way I created this concept of fusion between an abstract and a subject inserted in it. The main objective is always to reach a result of aesthetic balance between colors and shapes. This was also passed on to me during the years when I lived this connection to fashion and decoration up close.
He began by producing his works in urban spaces, later moving to museum spaces, namely galleries. What were the advantages and difficulties of this change?
I can say that the lack of screen space, compared to a wall, was my biggest challenge. I have a wide line, with a long flow and that could have been a hindrance. But I think it helped redefine my concept of canvas. In this way, it was clearer what would change: the dimension. When I aligned my search with this new measure of work, it started to be easier for my studio work to appear.
Today, thanks to social platforms such as Instagram, his works of art reach even more people.
In your perception, is the reading you intend to convey to your viewer still present, even with a distance between the “virtual” digital image and the actual/in-person observation? Are you afraid that technical execution is not valued?
In my case, I like to share videos of what I do. Anyone who knows me knows that my videos are full of traits and explicit techniques used in the composition of my works. Contrary to what you might think, that I'm making my tricks and secrets available, I don't see this sharing like that. I see it more as art itself: It only exists if it is shared. We must not keep it. It is too beautiful, and a giant opportunity to be able to share with the world what I feel most profoundly when painting each work.
In recent years we have witnessed a paradigm shift, with the art world becoming increasingly digital. Online sales have been growing exponentially, and recently Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have emerged, the great novelty of the art world. What are your perspectives regarding the online market and NFTs?
I think this evolution is phenomenal, but for me, having the work physically available still takes precedence over any other idea. I am a person of touch, of continuous observation, of a physiological need to be able to touch the materials I use in the conception of my works. As for the online market, it made distance short and access to the world possible. It's something extraordinary.
In your “atelier” work on several projects simultaneously: how many works do you currently have “in progress”? Are there any that are presenting you with specific challenges that you would like to share?
I now have the opportunity to have a studio that is more suited to the path of my work. I recently moved to a space with a considerable area. I'm an artist who needs space when it comes to studio creations. I like to work in several areas at the same time. I always have several jobs to be built simultaneously. Nothing makes me happier than being on multiple fronts. I certainly always have around 7-8 works being created simultaneously. I don't travel much, because I'm not a fan of airplanes (laughs) so in order to be able to be present at all the exhibitions I'm involved in, the works are sent. Sometimes, as my presence is not a necessity, I end up accepting more work and it always ends up in a chaos of color and great energy in my studio.
This 2023 I have a year dedicated to exhibitions, and as such I have several concepts and ideas for each one of them. The variety between these concepts is a constant challenge, similar to what I look for in art.
He has been working in the art world for some time now. What is your advice for young artists who are currently taking their first steps in this market?
In a first approach I would simply say to stay true to what you like and what you might want to develop as an artistic work. Working hard on something we believe in, even if it doesn't have an immediate result, is, in my opinion, the only way forward. The sensitivity in trying to look at one's own work helps in developing a growth based on something real.
If you had the possibility to choose a work of art for your “personal collection”, what would it be?
My pick would be: Jackson Pollock - #31.
Finally, who is the artist you dreamed of working with one day?
I wish I could create something with the artist KAWS.
