What is your concept/leitmotiv?

My work revolves around capturing moments and recording time on my canvas. I draw inspiration from everything around me and enjoy adding a unique touch through word play or cultural references. When I paint, I create layers of time, with the back of the painting representing the past and the front representing the present, almost as if freezing the moment in time. I don't have a set plan when I begin, instead letting the painting develop as I add more elements.

I strive to capture the concept of infinite time and space in my art, with my paintings acting as details in a much larger picture. By continually zooming in, more details are revealed, similar to viewing a specimen through a microscope.

I often incorporate recurring elements in my work, such as my "Crazy Baldhead" character and his various glasses, as well as bubbles, halftone dot patterns, clouds, slogans, and punchlines. These elements come together to form the fabric of my limitless "Sumoverse."

My ultimate goal is to create a large-scale art piece that incorporates all of my work from 2012 and beyond, presented in the form of a video installation that seamlessly links all of the paintings in depth. I want the art piece to be self-explanatory and for the viewer to understand my message without the need for a lengthy explanation.

With the increasing relevance of digital art, I am also focused on creating works that can be experienced, not just viewed.

How did you make the transition from street graffiti painting to becoming an independent artist?

It was never my intention to become an artist, but I was always passionate about graffiti and making a name for myself.

I wanted to stand out from the rest of the graffiti writers, so I started creating hand-drawn stickers and posters that were different from what everyone else was doing. To my surprise, people started to take notice of my character and asked me to paint on canvas. At first, I was hesitant, but after seeing the success of my first canvas, I was hooked.

I kept painting and creating, focusing on pleasing myself first before pleasing others. Over the years, my art started to gain popularity, and I organised my own exhibitions, even opening my own exhibition space for a few years.

As my art gained recognition, institutions started to take notice and offer me commission works and exposure through exhibitions and events. But the journey wasn't easy, I had to continuously learn new skills and develop an entrepreneurial mindset to succeed as an independent artist.

It took me around 10 years, but now I'm proud to say I can live off my art and do what I love every day.

What are NFTs?

NFTs, or Non-Fungible Tokens, are digital assets that bring ownership of unique items, such as art, to life through the magic of blockchain technology. I was intrigued by NFTs in early 2021 and was immediately drawn to their potential to revolutionise the world for artists like me. NFTs provide a way for us to sell our work as unique masterpieces, with proof of authenticity and ownership on a decentralised platform, ensuring a secure transaction.

NFTs are the future! I believe they are the key to revolutionising the way artists sell their work and overcome the challenges that come with it. NFTs are the most exciting discovery I've made since I first discovered Graffiti in the 90s.

Why are NFTs important to you?

NFTs are a game-changer for me and my digital art! Thanks to NFTs, I can monetise my artwork like never before and collect royalties from secondary sales - a rare opportunity until now. And it's not just about the money, I get to connect with my audience like never before, building a community of fans who believe in my art and want to be a part of its evolution. I'm talking about empowering my biggest fans, making them feel like they're on the front lines with me, shaping the future of my work.

Thanks to blockchain technology, NFTs give my digital artwork the stamp of authenticity, elevating it beyond just a cool concept. I'm fired up to use NFTs as a tool to break new ground in digital installations and art, pushing the limits of what's possible and creating unforgettable experiences for my fans!

What’s your background story?

My story starts with my passion for music and specifically, heavy metal and hard rock album covers. The crazy typography of Motörhead, Metallica and Iron Maiden sparked my interest in graphic design and drawing. I started off small by creating flyers and invitations for parties, and before I knew it, I was hooked!

But it wasn't until a school trip to Munich that my love for graffiti took flight. As I sat on the train, I gazed out the window and saw graffiti along the train tracks all the way from Luxembourg to Munich. I couldn't resist the urge to explore and, along with two friends, I took my camera and ventured onto the train tracks to take pictures of the stunning artwork. This experience solidified my love for graffiti and led me to pursue a career in graphic design.

I studied graphic design at Ravensbourne College and then at the London College of Communication, where I honed my skills in typography and printing techniques. After graduation, I worked at various graphic design studios for six years before I decided to break away from the office grind and open a concept store and urban art gallery. My time at the gallery eventually led me to focus on creating art full-time, and today I work from my studio and run my own showroom called Gallery 1:1.

My graphic design background still comes in handy, especially when it comes to my own communication and my recent foray into digital art and NFTs.

What’s the story behind the creation of Crazy Baldhead?

It all started with my love for drawing and my obsession with graffiti. My first book on graffiti was ‘Subway Art’ and it inspired me to create my own characters. However, I soon realized that the B-Boy characters in the book weren't really me. So, I got creative and came up with a pig character inspired by the German/Luxemburgish/French phrase “Schweinerei” or “cochonnerie”, which translates to “pigsty” or “nasty mess” in English. I was fascinated by the phrase and its visual connection to graffiti.

But the cute and friendly image the pig was creating wasn't enough for me. As a graffiti writer, I was always searching for the ultimate persona that would make my mark unforgettable, and not easily painted over by others. So, I decided to make my character stand out with a bold and memorable vibe, sending the message that I wasn't messing around.

I experimented with various characters for weeks and months, but nothing seemed to click. In a moment of frustration, I randomly drew a potato and declared it my last shot. If this didn't work, I was ready to go back to drawing pigs.

But then, a stroke of genius hit me. I added a sharp nose, a big mouth filled with teeth, round black eyes like a frog, and long arms and short legs. And voilà, the Crazy Baldhead was born!

I toyed with other characters after that, but my heart always brought me back to the Crazy Baldhead. Over time, I gave him even more edge by changing his eyes to shiny, pointy slits, making him more enigmatic and menacing. I eventually added different pairs of glasses to cover his eyes, adding more depth to his personality.

The Crazy Baldhead quickly became my signature and people started recognizing my art because of this character. I continued to push my boundaries as an artist, experimenting with different mediums and techniques and breaking away from traditional graffiti. Today, I am a full-fledged independent artist, thanks to the Crazy Baldhead.

How did you get the name SUMO?

I was given the name SUMO by a classmate who wanted to bully me, but I ended up loving the sound of it and it has stuck ever since. My real name is rarely used now.