It all began in 2007, bringing a spectacularly lucid splash of Mediterranean colors to the streets of Valencia and the rest of Spain, Pichi and Avo have infused a stunning level of figurative detail into their work. Hints of surrealism leap out and slap the viewer about while drawing you into a radiant explosion of unrestrained, spray painted talent. Creating a massive stir in their hometown and just about to set the rest of Europe ablaze, leads them to participate in numerous national and international events.
Could you tell us a little about yourself, where you´re from, how did you guys meet, and how did you get started in the urban art scene?
Well, we are two artists from Valencia, Spain. We met in 2007 because we shared the same passion for art inquisitiveness, and quickly became like brothers, and from that day we are one, always fleeing the ego-centrism of graffiti and come together to give birth to a single work, with two similar visions.
Do you have a formal education?
Yes and we think it is very important, as we combine 2 studies: Design and Fine Arts.
Could you describe the development process of your artwork?
All our work always starts in the studio, we are always sharing our ideas, and from that we try to formalize something. Our main thing is to start something and then we see if works or not, from that we either go to the street and share it with the people or we keep it in the studio for us.
How do you go about creating your art piece? How do you choose a wall/environment?
The main thing is to have the energy to paint, and then you search for the perfect place for the idea you have. Sometimes it doesn’t matter the place because it is more important the action and the piece you are doing.
Each wall or idea is different, and that the fun part of all that.
How much does your art affect or influence your everyday life and are there any role models or artists who inspired you?
Is 24/7 influence, we are always with that, sometimes with our work and sometimes watching other people’s art. There are so many artists that inspire us, and it is difficult to pick one or two, because every artist has something different.
Has your style developed throughout the years?
Yes, and never ends.
What are your thoughts on the way the internet is influencing the art world?
This one is difficult… but we think it is positive, because everyone like to see what’s going on around. We all have a lot of info that makes us grow, but the difficult part is to always keep your essence and culture.
Which countries have you visited to paint so far and where did you like it best?
Well we have been in UK, Germany, Greece, Belgium…and each country have something special, it is very difficult to choose one, perhaps Belgium and UK because we did our last works there.
Have you painted in the USA? If so, how was your experience like?
No, but we were in some Gallery shows. Painting in the USA is something we have in mind, we just have to find a good project.
Is there a message in your art?
There is always some kind of idea behind our art, but our goal is not the pure message art.
Street art is still considered vandalism, how is it for you to go out and paint in the street? Did you ever have any problems with the law?
For us it is normal, we don’t think we are doing anything wrong, but something good for the environment, so maybe because of that we never had big problems with the law, and we hope to stay like that.
What have been your most challenging and rewarding piece of work thus far?
So far the last one we did in Belgium for the North West Walls in the Rock Werchter Festival curated by Arne Quinze, is our biggest piece.
What do you do when you are not creating art? What are your hobbies?
We like to do sports and surf, music, reading… different things that make us happy.
What’s next for you? What shows or projects do you have planned?
Our next project is in Utsira, Norway painting, and then we will start our new personal work.
Any words of advice for aspiring new artists?
We are not the ones to say words of advice… just do what you like and everything will come in some way.
SAUS would like to thank Pichi & Avo and wish them a great rest of summer.
