MEET THE ARTIST: Killa Was Here
How did your career as a visual artist begin?
The arts have always been part of my life. Since I was a little boy, I have had the addiction to scratching and drawing, there was no notebook that escaped. It was something I did without giving it much seriousness, but it was always a strong presence in my life. He had a fascination with graffiti, shared with some friends, which developed alongside an organic upbringing from home, visiting exhibitions, museums and galleries whenever possible. Today I can see how the presence of these two spectrums of the art world are reflected in my work, in my opinion at least. When I finished high school I graduated in management. I knew I didn't want to work behind a desk or work to build the dream of someone other than mine, but it was the course I chose. I think that deep down I always knew that this would be my path but I couldn't embrace it until after that time. When I finished my degree I dedicated myself 100% to the arts. I had my first exhibition which went surprisingly well and I haven't looked back since.
What do you try to express in your works? How would you describe your artistic approach?
Each work of mine carries a story, thought or memory of mine that for some reason I wanted to materialize and bring to the world in the form of colors. I don't believe in creating without having an internal stimulus that pushed me to do so. Hence no commissions or special requests. Only I know what I lived and live, what I felt and feel, and I think that trying to express these particularities that, if not for art, would remain forever secret, is what makes a work really special and valuable. Telling a story that only I can tell, handing it over to the subjective interpretation of each one. After the work is finished, it becomes subject to each person's reading and is one of my favorite aspects of this process. I am not attached to the meaning that the work has for me and I believe that the meaning that the spectator attributes to the work is as important or even more important than mine. More than creating a "beautiful" work, I try to create emotions in those who observe it, whether these are good or bad, positive or negative. In practical terms, I like to do what I feel like doing without getting attached to techniques, materials or any label that might characterize an artist. I try, more than creating a style, technique or approach that forever characterizes or represents me, to build a language that, regardless of the project, be it an oil painting, a sculpture, an installation or any other, is always recognizable as mine. and transversal to any area of the arts.
How does your creative process work?
I am in the habit of carrying a little black notebook and a black pen with me at all times. In this I point out any idea or thought that I have in fear of losing it. These could be written ideas or sketches of a drawing that came to mind. Among the ideas I come up with, I choose some that convinced me and I do my best to bring them to the physical world.
How do you face creative challenges in your work?
In my studio I always or almost always have something to do, paint or draw. There are few times that I don't have it, and when that happens I invent it and start to have it. With this what I mean is that regardless of being in a phase of more or less ideas/work, I go to the studio and create. I think this routine and constant pursuit of the dream is the key. Sometimes the hardest thing is to remain enthusiastic about what I'm doing until the end of the work. I usually already know what I'm going to paint next, which occasionally distracts me or robs me of what I'm doing in the present. I'd say it's my biggest creative challenge and I try to fight it with the discipline of seeing everything I start until the end, even if I'm not loving the result.
Which artists inspire you?
I could make a huge list of artists who inspire me and influence my work. I can see in my works the countless references of these artists even if sometimes their work at first glance has no aesthetic resemblance to mine. Some of them are : Júlio Resende, Daniel Arsham, T-Rex Global, Francis Bacon, Murakami, various Ukiyo-e genre artists, Jonas Wood, Mr. (Mister Yanen), among others.
Do you have a recent project or work that you would like to share?
I don't want to share too many details right now but I will be announcing my next solo show soon.
Do you have any advice you would like to share with young people who are taking their first steps in the world of art?
The advice I can give is the same advice I repeat to myself constantly. I think we have to believe in and always value our work, regardless of other people's opinions. Others are not inside our heads, they don't know our dreams, our work ethic or our will to win. So we can't expect them to believe us from the start. It's up to us as artists to chart our path working until we get where we want to be.
Finally, which artist do you dream of working with one day?
I don't dream of working with any specific artist. I hope to share museum and gallery walls with big names around the world. I also hope to be able to work with different artists from all areas of the arts and even outside this artistic world, in projects of great importance and magnitude. But first, to chart my path without looking for conquests that are supported by the will of third parties.
