Endless Venezia: Celebrating art in the heart of Venice
Avani Rio Novo Venice Hotel presents "ENDLESS VENEZIA", a journey through the contemporary iconography of Endless, one of the world’s most celebrated street artists from London, known for challenging boundaries and redefining his genre. Curated by the renowned London gallery Cris Contini Contemporary, the exhibition showcases a series of digital reinterpretations of his iconic works.
We had the opportunity to sit down and speak with Endless about his career, inspirations, collaborations, and, most importantly, why he chooses to remain anonymous in this exclusive interview.
A conversation with Endless
Background and inspirations
Can you share with us how your journey into street art began? Were there any pivotal moments or experiences in your early life that set you on this creative path?
I have always been creative and have identified as an artist. After leaving school, I studied art for six years, learning new techniques and ways of thinking about and seeing the world. Once I developed my work and completed university, I needed a way to share my art without restrictions, and street art seemed like the best option. I spent many years putting my work on the streets of London, which eventually led to my first exhibition.
What about your early influences? Are there any specific artists or experiences that inspired you and shaped your artistic style?
I was first inspired by the works of David Hockney and the experimental techniques he was using through digital art, screen printing, and painting. Whilst studying screen printing at college and university, I liked the vivid flat colours and layering this technique created. I have expanded on these techniques and use them within the work I show on the street and on canvas.
Anonymity and identity
As a street artist, you've maintained a level of anonymity. How has this decision affected your work and interactions with the public? Has it influenced the themes and styles of your art?
When I started doing street art, I knew I liked the freedom of the illegal side of the art form. The freedom of showing your art to a large audience with very few rules whenever you felt the need was very appealing to me. Being illegal, I thought it was a good idea to cover my face when doing interviews or being photographed.
I also like the idea of being anti-selfie and not being known for my facial features. In a digital age where AI has access to most people's faces online, this could be a good idea.
Some of my artworks explore beauty through advertising and how we identify beauty through facial features. I have included parts of my own face within some of my artwork to bring the idea of the artist into the work while remaining anonymous.
Themes and past collaborations
Your work often explores complex themes like consumerism and celebrity culture. How did you develop these thematic focuses in your art, and how have they evolved over time?
I use these topics to describe a world in which humanity interacts with its surroundings, as well as giving the viewer a familiar point of reference which touches on feelings of greed, allure, ego and power.
I believe it is up to the viewer to take their own message away from the artwork. I am continually evolving these ideas and often draw inspiration from what is happening in real life within this niche.
Can you talk about some of the most significant collaborations in your career and what they've brought to your artistic expression?
All the collaborations I have undertaken have suited my style and resonated with my ethos. These partnerships have developed naturally through my exhibition of artwork on the streets.
Gilbert and George saw my work on the street close to their house and used my artwork within one of their works. Seeing how they live and work as artists is something to behold; art is not just what you make but also how you live and how you think.
Another collaboration that happened naturally was with Karl Lagerfeld. He saw my work on the streets of Amsterdam before reaching out. Unfortunately, he passed away before the collaboration was released, but working with his brand and his amazing team was very inspiring.
Partnership with Avani Hotels & Resorts
The partnership seemed like a great way to present my work to a new audience. Having my pieces displayed at the Avani Rio Novo Venice Hotel allows guests to take their time without feeling intimidated or rushed, as can often be the case in a large gallery or museum.
Here, they can feel at home while viewing my work before stepping out onto the streets of Venice to explore and discover a new way of seeing the world around them. I believe Venice is a city of discovery, and I think my work has many layers in which people can discover new meanings.
My art is about viewing your everyday life with new ways of seeing and thinking.
As your exhibition continues at Avani Rio Novo Venice, what final thoughts or messages would you like to share about your partnership with the hotel and the overall experience for visitors?
I hope it will give visitors and locals something new and interesting to look at, offering a fresh perspective on street art and encouraging them to explore the visual world around them in a different light.
It aims to inspire a positive creative energy and provide a new way of seeing Venice as they walk the streets.
Art is for everyone who takes the time to look.
