SIKE is a Berlin-based artist who's passion and inspiration from graffiti culture resulted in bold artworks which are currently featured in our exhibition Gresunder Größenwahn.
Do you remember the first time you created something? When did your artistic journey begin and what brought you to the art world? Share some highlights from your background?
I began painting at a young age, and my earliest memory is creating abstract works at the Brücke Museum in Berlin-Dahlem during my kindergarten years. Throughout elementary school, I aspired to be a comic artist, a dream I pursued diligently. In 2010, I ventured into graffiti and soon met my former mentor PHOS4, a legend in the graffiti world. Together, we held my first exhibition, "STRONG CONNECTION," in 2016 in Berlin when I was just 17 years old.
Simultaneously, I started working creatively on music videos for renowned German-speaking artists. In 2017, I had my first solo exhibition, "EXITING CHILDHOOD," at Tegernsee in Bavaria. In 2019, I presented my solo exhibition "CULTURES" in Berlin. During this time, I began producing trap beats and shortly after, performing on them. In 2022, I had another solo exhibition at the "Bierpinsel" in Berlin, where I presented my first unofficial music release as an NFT. In May of this year, I presented "NYNW" in my first solo exhibition in New York. NYNW is a contemporary homage to the pivotal exhibition "NEW YORK / NEW WAVE," which took place in 1981 in New York City, celebrating groundbreaking works by artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Futura2000, and Dondi White. NYNW is an immersive experience that includes my canvases, my EP, and a fashion collection with the designer duo The End is Near.
Let's discuss the fear of failure. How do you deal with it on your artistic journey and what helps you to pursue your dreams?
Keep going.
How would you describe your artistic style and the themes you explore? How has this evolved as you've grown as an artist? Share your thoughts on your artistic approach.
I see myself as a multidisciplinary artist who tries to blur the boundaries between different art forms and unite them into coherent works of art. Inspired by graffiti, abstract, and expressionist styles, my artistic journey reflects a diverse range of influences.
Let's talk about one of your artworks exhibited at NOTAGALLERY's "Gesunder Größenwahn" exhibition. Walk us through the process of creating it.
I start without a sketch and work intuitively on the painting throughout the creative process. The longer I work on a piece, the more significant changes emerge, such as the sewn-on canvas fabric on the left side. The face you can see there was originally on a completely different canvas. I cut it in half and sewed it onto the new canvas.
How do you navigate the balance between chaos and order in your art?
Through an orderly composition.
Finally, we would love to hear some names! What other emerging artists inspire you and also deserve our attention?
I am inspired by many artists (more by established artists). My biggest inspiration is Basquiat. Others are Eddie Martinez, Robert Nava, Jenny Brosinski and Futura2000.
