Pixelpancho
Italy
Robots are the recurring theme in Pixelpancho’s work. He describes what drives him:“I am driven by a forgotten world hidden beneath a thick layer of dust and dirt. There, robots exist as a creation of humankind, dented and worn, a symbiosis of the organic and the inorganic, whose rusted iron is falling apart. Full of dreams, wishes and hopes.” – Pixelpancho (translated)A Forgotten WorldIn his surreal visual world, humans, puppets and robots merge into images that allude to major commercial brands, superheroes and well-known pop icons. All of them are subject to constant change, and their decay is looming. His work convinces not only through its striking motifs but also through a distinctive style that draws on many different sources. Traces of Joaquín Sorolla, Salvador Dalí, the political painting group El Equipo Crónica, Ron English and Takashi Murakami can be seen in his work.From Academy to StreetPixelpancho was born in Turin in 1984. His grandfather, who painted occasionally, introduced him early to colour and form. He studied at the Accademia Albertina di Belle Arti in Turin and completed his degree at the Academy of Fine Arts in Valencia. There he encountered the graffiti and street art scenes. He began working on outdoor surfaces with spray cans and markers, which set him apart from fellow students who worked on paper and canvas. Travelling between Turin and Valencia, he seized every opportunity to be seen on the street, on tiles, walls, stickers and posters.Festivals and the International SceneOn numerous trips, Pixelpancho took part in festivals and showed his work in exhibitions. He is considered one of the leading figures of the Italian urban art scene, which has developed around artists such as Blu, Ericailcane, the Fame Festival and Studio Chromie.