THIPΔΝ - Inspired by Nature - I Support Street ArtI Support Street Art

THIPΔΝ – Inspired by Nature

THIPAN, a Brazilian street artist that creates large scale mural paintings, digital illustrations, canvas paintings and live performances. Read on and find out how Thipan’s world of symbolism is inspired by nature, animals and by the artistic cultural heritage found within the native people of Brazil!

1- What would you like to drink? Coffee, Tea, Beer, Soda or something else?

I would like to drink a coffee and a glass of water, please. Thank you

2 – Introduce yourself to us – as if we had no idea who you were!

My name is Thiago Thipan, I’m from Niterói, Rio de Janeiro – Brazil – living in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina since 2015.

I’m 33 years old now and I have been painting walls in the streets for 6 years until know.

3 -Where does your (tag) Artist name come from?

My artist name came from an interpretation of the sound of an indigenous word ‘Nixi Pae’ which means the spirit of the forest.

Projeto Fazendo Arte Tecendo a Vida da Unicultura, em escola da cidade Fazenda Rio Grande, na região metropolitana de Curitiba. 23/02/2018 Foto: Brunno Covello

4 – How do you define yourself and why? Artist? Street artist? Something else?

I define myself as an artist because I love to create and paint things. Any surface or material could be transformed into pieces of art. I also define myself as a street artist muralist because I started my art carrier in the streets and I like very much to transform public spaces especially big walls in the city in order to benefit the local community and make a positive impact.

5 – How did it all start for you, and what is it nowadays?

I started painting walls in the streets of Curitiba in 2013 and after some time working on independent murals, I started getting commissioned paintings and projects invitations.Nowadays, it continue to pop opportunities and I’m very happy with that. I choose to live doing what I love and I think some good fortune lives on that when the art carrier is constructed with discipline, future visions and creativity.

6 – What is the first thing you do when you get up in the morning?

I like to quickly clean and organize the house and the atelier to start a new day. Recently, I developed a new habit to drink every morning pure lemon juice with water before any other food to help balance the healthy.

7 – Street art is mostly a visually stimulating form of art. To add one more sense to it, what music would you pick to accompany your art work?

I would choose some folk song music from indigenous cultures from the South America and Africa. When I’m painting I also like to hear jazz, classic and renaissance music to inspire me and create an artistic environment.

8 – In all forms of art, inspiration is crucial. What inspires you and how does that end up in your art?

My inspiration comes from a state of perceive everything that surrounds me in a creative way of looking at reality. More deep, finding new elements, lines and shapes in the beauty of nature and bringing than to different versions of complex drawing compositions, sometimes mixing figurative and abstract art.

9 – What is the hardest part while working on a piece of art?

The hardest part while working on a piece of art (when the demand is figurative) is to find the correct balance between lines and right proportions forms.

10 – Do you have any artist(s) you admire? Can you pinpoint what it is that makes them so special for you?

Yes, I have many artists I admire. Paul Klee was brilliant with colors and abstract compositions. Also Kandinsky, Miró, Picasso, Portinari, Robert Delaunay, Alfred Volpi to name other remarkable artists that inspires me to create art.

11 – Which cities are the most inspiring for you as an artist?

Every city has some history to inspire creative paintings. For me as an artist, the most inspiring city is that one which preserves nature, architecture and are full of public art in the streets. Also the city that offers to the public, cultural events and art spaces, museums and galleries to exhibit different kinds of art forms.

12 – What other passions do you have apart from art?

I love to surf and I practice since when I was six years old. I believe that the sport connects me with my inner child, which for me, is very important to live happy and good. I also love to skate in half pipes, bowls, run on the sand with or without my dog, ride bicycle especially for long distances and hiking trails inside nature.

13 – Do you have a special project that you hope to achieve some day?

Yes, I have a special project and this is related with the idea to travel the world every year to paint public art murals with all or most of the expenses included. During the long way of art production study and growth, many other possibilities will show and I like very much to face new art challenges.

14 – Tell us a bit more about your art; does it include symbolisms, messages or repeated patterns? How has it evolved?

I started my art in the streets, doing colorful abstract art compositions and after some time doing this, I felt the necessity to start representing minimalist human figures, symbols, numbers, animals, plants, letters messages and other elements to enrich the work and reach a bigger audience.

15 – How long time does your art work, on walls, usually survive for?

It usually survive for tree to seven years depending on the location of the piece.

16 – What do you think, people feel or think of, when they see one of your works on the street?

It is difficult to say what people think or feel when they see one of my art, because is a very subjective thing. But in general, I think people enjoy to see colorful walls with nature symbols, animals and abstract forms. I use to receive positive messages from people that follow my work in social media also encouraging me to keep painting pieces in the streets.

17 – What are your creative plans for the future?

My creative plans for the future is to travel Brazil and foreign countries to create new pieces of public art and paint canvas and other media for exhibitions in galleries. Also study in a renowned art university to improve my skills as an artist and learn new languages. Work with art education in schools as a teacher offering workshops and lessons is another creative plan for the future.

18 – Is there a little wish you have that not many people know about?

Yes, It would be very nice to have an art manager to help me reach new levels as a professional artist.

19 – Is there a specific thought or message you would like to pass to our audience out there?

To live good in the moment we should first truely love ourself. What we choose to make a living is also important to consider, especially if this contributes to a better world and other peoples life. Make dreams coming true demands time, hard working and patience. I think we all should use very well the time we have in life to construct day by day with love, work and faith a stairway to success and happiness despite of any kind of adversity.
I would say a big thanks to my family and friends that helps me evolve somehow in life as an artist. Thank you!