FANAKAPAN INTERVIEW
Your signature chrome and foil balloon creations have become instantly recognizable on streets and gallery walls around the world. The evolution of this style began with early collaborations in Berlin and East London before growing into the iconic body of work we know today. How did you develop and refine this unique visual language over the years?
Basically the first “foil” type balloon was a bright pink music note that I painted next to a Vinnie Graffiti piece in East London. Before that, I painted the foil or Mylar type balloons. I was painting standard latex balloon letters and animals. I taught myself how to paint simple shapes to start with when working full time as a prop maker for Nickelodeon. The balloon dog worked so well- it looked 3D. Back then I was the only guy painting balloon inspired graff. There are a fair few doing it now. More than I can count. It’s a good thing I think but far too much negativity surrounding such a harmless family-friendly style of painting! Ha!
Your work has successfully crossed over from the streets into the gallery world, with solo exhibitions in both New York and London and a third solo show already on the horizon. How does your creative process differ when preparing for a gallery exhibition versus creating work in the public realm?
My creative process is the same for both my street pieces and my canvas/show pieces. I just sort out which ideas might work well on a smaller scale (some really don’t transfer well). I’m constantly coming up with new ideas. I let them sit all around me- scribbled on bits of paper or random plastic/glass/inflatable things sit on shelves. Eventually, they all find their place with whatever is next to come from my mind and onto a wall/canvas.
A willingness to experiment has always been central to your practice. Beyond your renowned balloon-inspired paintings, you've explored a variety of materials and disciplines, including sculpture. As your work continues to evolve, are there any new techniques, mediums, or creative directions you're excited to pursue?
Regarding experimentation and pushing things forward, I’ll be going back to my sculpture roots as soon as I can get a slightly bigger studio. I used to sculpt and paint for famous contemporary artists and TV shows as my full-time job and I’m looking forward to using those skills combined with my street art much more now.
FANAKAPAN X CHRISTINA ANGELINA
Collaboration has played an important role throughout your artistic journey, leading to some truly memorable projects. Are there any exciting collaborations on the horizon, and which artists would you most like to create alongside in the future?
I love painting with artists I respect. My favourite so far being a collaboration last December 2017 in Miami with Nuno from Portugal. I think we have a few more things planned for this year. The most recent collaboration with Nuno had to be figured out over email as we are both usually traveling. I think I wanted the piece to be as large as possible but very simple, yet quite a powerful image. I love the latex gloves that he paints and also his paper airplanes. He has a great eye for detail. I’ve painted latex gloves before and he had painted chrome objects before so it seemed like an obvious idea that we paint a crushed spray can (mine) and paint covered glove (his) encompassing both our styles yet looking like a piece either of us could have painted alone. It just worked! I’m rarely 100% happy with a piece but I think that one took it. Much more planned!