Recently, São Paulo based artist Flip visited London and put up this great piece on Ebor Street on the other side to ROA’s hedgehog. Street Art London got in touch to find out a little more about FLIP and the inspiration behind the wall….
Your new wall in Ebor Street is great. Can you tell us a little about the inspiration for this piece?
The funny kawaii, monsters and non-sense inspires me. It’s also inspired by old Japanese mythical creatures, in this case, I mixed the Tanuki (Japanese raccoon) with the Jellyfish. I chose CMYK colors to pop up in front of the bricks … Seems to be alive !
Please tell us a little about your background and how you got into street art.
I’m from the Vila Mariana neighborhood of São Paulo, Brasil. I lived in Europe for eight years though (France and Portugal) with my mom, when I was younger. Since I was a teenager (mid 90’s) after I got back from Portugal, I started to take graffiti more seriously, as a way of expression. And the graff game in São Paulo, was all about have an original style, that’s why I decided to do only monsters and characters, posters and stickers as well. I love tagging but I never did traditional graff lettering.. I’m graduated in Fine Arts, but I still prefer the street school.
Tell us about your artistic influences.
Japanese Erotic Paintings, Prints and Calligraphy. Mythical creatures and Monsters… I love monsters!!! Since I was a baby with a killer crayon in my hands.
FLIP in São Paulo… (Image courtesy of FLIP)
What are the similarities and differences between the street art scenes in São Paulo and London?
As big cities there are a lot of similarities. Tags, Stickers all around, crazy styles! The immigration makes the flavor in my opinion! Maybe London has more influence of music, more than São Paulo, the music movements are really strong, and I can tell this sometimes, on the walls… The 70’s punk aesthetics to the dirty 2000’s Grime. I feel that in London. São Paulo is a unstoppable concrete jungle, and is still growing…
What do you think is the importance of street art?
It’s a huge way of expression and most of important of all, its FREE ART. No tickets, fun and colors for everyone.
SAL: Thanks FLIP
The first piece was painted over yesterday 🙁
Cute cat!