Raúl (Raaul) Cancino is a Chilean artist who today tells us about his career as a muralist and graffiti artist.
Astrid: How long ago did you start painting and how was it?
Raaul: I started painting graffiti when I was studying in elementary school and my classmates and I created a group called STS from there I was trapped in this world.
Astrid: Which techniques do you use the most and which do you enjoy the most?
Raaul: I use different techniques everything depends on the wall that must be painted either the surface if it is smooth or textured, and I enjoy when I can paint my ideas freely without having a forced foot.
Astrid: What is your goal or message when painting?
Raaul: Depending on the time I have to work on the site is the message I can convey, when I paint faster graffiti walls sometimes I only add seeds and leaf shoots, as a way to interpret our connection with the earth.
Astrid: Have you painted nationally? What places?
Raaul: If I have painted in different cities of Chile, I am from Rancagua but I have traveled to Peumo, Santiago, Valdivia, Valpo, Linares, Pichilemu.
Whenever an invitation comes out, I try to participate in events related to public art.
Astrid: Have you represented Chile outside the country? If yes. What has been your experience?
Raaul: I have participated in different Latin American events, it is a very enriching experience especially for the fact of knowing other places so different from the one you inhabit, having the opportunity to meet other art colleagues with very solid works at the level of aesthetics and content, I think that nourishes a lot when you can create new works.
Astrid: Do you have a character that inspires you to paint or is influential?
Raaul: I always try to create my own characters, it’s something I learned from Brazilian friends, my influences are very varied from Diego Rivera, Gonzalez Camarena or the world of graffiti like Os Gemeos, Universo Acme.
Astrid: What other trades do you have outside of painting?
Raaul: My father is a carpenter, so since I was a child I was watching all that process of preparing the wood to be able to make different structures.
Astrid: Do you think your work can have a big impact on the cultural movement in your country?
Raaul: I think that at the local level without a doubt that the work has an impact especially on the murals painted inside the schools, children grow up watching the creative processes of how a mural is painted so it is a start for their own steps in the art world.
Astrid: Do you belong to any crew?
Raaul: I am currently part of the Expresionarte Collective, which more than a crew is a group that seeks to promote unity among the different graffiti writers, Muralists, Visual Artists.
Astrid: And finally, any message for young people who want to start in the world of painting?
Raaul: Yes, at first it may be frustrating that the expected results are not achieved, but you must be persevering and honest with what you like, follow your instinct and create your own world.
Many thanks to Raúl for this wonderful tour of his artistic ideas, I invite you to see more of his work in his social networks.
Social media: Facebook: Raaul Cancino
Instagram:
@raaulcancino
