ARTIST INSIDE 2022 | Ricardo Passaporte

I Love the Little Things in Life, Especially Dogs.

Lisbon-based artist Ricardo Passaporte is also known as a graffiti artist.
Just as he uses spray paint to create graffiti on walls, he also uses spray paint on canvas.
He focuses on the everyday things he sees along his way, things that might seem too insignificant to be the subject of an artwork.
He also finds inspiration in photos and advertisements he comes across while browsing online.
The artist, who draws a lot of dogs, even titled his 2020 solo exhibition “If dogs don’t go to heaven, I want to go where they go”.
In his new work for Kiaf SEOUL, the artist has also taken up dog-related themes.

You studied fashion design, but you also worked as a graffiti artist. Do you think that experience influences your current painting practice?

To be honest, I don’t see much of a connection between my major, graffiti, and my current work. I think it’s related somehow, but I have a completely different approach to my work. They all involve a creative process, but I have different strategies.

You mostly draw everyday life. Mostly daily scenes with animals, is there a reason for that?

I look for situations and context, but the main characters in my paintings are animals, especially dogs. I also paint people, but they are secondary.

So, you show paintings of dogs at Kiaf SEOUL this time?

I’m showing nine new works, and they’re all about dogs and sports.

What interests you in your work these days?

My interests have always been painting, and of course dogs. My new works don’t really change the subject matter from what I’ve done in the past. The biggest change that excites me is the way I’m working. In my current work, I’m creating multiple layers within one canvas. I’m painting A on one canvas, and then I’m painting B on top of that, and then I’m painting something else each time until I think I’m done. Oh, this process is quite similar to graffiti. It’s a lot like graffiti, because it’s a lot of layering on the wall. You’re constantly building up layers of paint on the same wall.

Lastly, what would you like to say to Korean collectors who love your works?

I would like to thank everyone for their support. Means a lot. Much love.

Interview by Heaseung Kang, published on Kiaf 2022 Catalogue