Chiara Aluigi in Conversation with CandyBird
Sotheby’s Institute of Art MA Art Business student Chiara Aluigi talked with CandyBird about his career path that led him from doing graffiti on the streets to be represented by a commercial gallery; about his influences and some insights on the Taiwanese political and artistic scene. This special interview is accompanied previously unseen photographs of CandyBird’s artworks.
Taipei, Taiwan ©CandyBird
CA: How did you start doing graffiti?
CB: I started to do graffiti in 2010. Before that, I was an oil painter. I attended Fine Art at the university in Taiwan, but actually I didn’t think about becoming an artist then. I was wasting too much time on sports and video games… I decided to commit to art after the military service (men have to serve in the military for a few months after turning 20 in Taiwan). While I was doing my service, I had a lot of time to reflect. I thought I could be a painter, but I still wasn’t 100% convinced. I joined a design company after getting discharged, but I wasn’t happy – and my boss must’ve noticed that, since he fired me only a few months later. The day I lost my job I decided to be an artist.
CA: How did you come to be represented by commercial galleries such as Liang Gallery, and how does it work when someone wishes to buy your works?
CB: I believe collectors are starting to appreciate graffiti and street art culture, that’s why they contacted me to be represented by them. Regarding how I recreate my work for clients, usually I have to go somewhere - to an office for instance - and reproduce one of my murals. But to be honest with you, I still prefer to make my art on the streets rather than in commercial galleries or in any other indoor space.
Shanghai, China © CandyBird
CA: What/who is your greatest influence?
CB: I am a Buddhist. My religion gave me a lot of courage to start committing to art. My master is Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, and he taught me about having a positive mindset and seeing life under a certain perspective. Only after learning from him did I realize I could create something good and special with my art.
CA: Would you say your works are more appreciated by an Asian or Western audience?
CB: I guess more by an East Asian audience.
CA: Who are your favorite artists?
CB: William Kentridge is one of my favorite artists, as well as Lee Kit. I think his works may look elementary but are actually complicated and meaningful. Another artist that you should all know is in my opinion Ishida Tetsuya.
CA: What should be the role of an artist in society?
CB: For me, an artist should have a “journalist like” attitude. The artist should notice and announce what other people seem to forget (or pretend to forget). The artist has the mission to find the truth and communicate it to mankind as some kind of prophet.
CA: Talking about politics… how is graffiti art seen by the government in Taiwan?
CB: Honestly the government doesn’t care much about it, but some local governments seem to appreciate the presence of street art. The artist community benefits from that - I believe there is a stimulating environment for both art and cultural businesses now in Taiwan.
CA: In this regard, what’s your opinion about the Taiwanese Art Market?
CB: I think it is developing quite well. We have a big art fair, Taipei Dangdai, whose CEO Is from Hong Kong Art Basel. Taiwanese collectors have been busy these days going to these events.
CA: Will your artworks be exhibited at Taipei Dangdai?
CB: Not this time. I will have a solo show on the 29th of February at the Glorious Jewel Art Center in Taipei.
CA: What’s the story behind your name?
CB: I started to use Facebook in 2008 or 2009, and I made a fake name ‘Candy’ for the new account. There was no reason—I just did it for fun. ‘Bird’ is my nickname. When I decided to do graffiti in 2010, I thought it would be good to use a fake name, so I chose my Facebook name.
CA: And what is your real name?
CB: It’s ‘...’ But please don’t disclose it, I want it to be a secret!
© CandyBird
Thank you CandyBird.
You can follow CandyBird’s practice via his Instagram
Chiara Aluigi
Contributor, MADE IN BED