Interviews
About PhoPhoPhoPhoPhoPho
Photon Tide also known as Pho is a mixed-media artist known for his psychedelic and experimental art style. Pho explores the limits of human consciousness with his dream-inspired series as well as human emotions and what it means to feel. Pho wants you to not fear what is inside your mind but to embrace it, his artworks have been exhibited in NFT-NYC as well as Art Basel. Pho has also sold on multiple crypto-native platforms such as Foundation, Superrare, and most recently through his own contract on Manifold.
An interview with PhoPhoPhoPhoPhoPho led by Carlo Borloni
Good morning, Pho. Thank you for taking the time to chat with us.
Let's delve into your artistic journey.
Can you tell us about your artistic evolution and how you've come to this
point in your career?
Absolutely. My journey began with a deep passion for music, which eventually led
me to explore the realm of art. Starting with music composition and production, I
gradually transitioned into visual arts, initially experimenting with software like
Photoshop.
My fascination with dreams and sleep paralysis fueled my exploration into art,
leading to my first series.
Those are certainly intriguing beginnings. Reflecting on your career thus far,
what have been the most significant moments for you as an artist?
There have been several pivotal moments. Holding my solo exhibition in New York
in 2023 was a significant milestone, as was selling a piece at Sotheby's. However,
perhaps the most memorable was the decision to leave my day job in 2022 and
commit fully to my art.
Your artistic style is quite unique. How would you describe it, and what
themes or elements do you typically focus on in your paintings?
I'd describe my style as "controlled chaos."
As a mixed media artist, I incorporate various tools and techniques into my work.
My approach is fluid, often guided by intuition rather than strict concepts.
I tend to focus on exploring the depths of the subconscious mind, drawing
inspiration from dreams and emotions we often keep hidden.
It's fascinating how your personal experiences shape your art. Are there any
particular artists or movements that have influenced your style?
Initially, I wasn't heavily influenced by art history, which allowed me to develop my
style freely. However, I draw inspiration from the surrealist movement, along with
artists like Francis Bacon and Alex Grey. More recently, I find inspiration in life
experiences, music, and other forms of expression.
Your work delves into the realms of the mind and emotions. What message or
emotion do you aim to convey through your art?
My art serves as a form of therapy and self-reflection. I aim to evoke a sense of
introspection and exploration of the unknown facets of the mind. It's about
unraveling emotions and experiences that often go unspoken.
Can you walk us through your creative process when preparing for a new
series or exhibition?
When embarking on a new series, I immerse myself fully in the subject matter. I
become what I call a "method artist," living and breathing the theme.
This intense exploration helps me understand the subject deeply before translating
it onto canvas.
That sounds like a deeply immersive approach. How do you select the
subjects or themes for your paintings?
My selection process is guided by intuition and a deep connection to a primal
source. Themes often arise naturally from within me, reflecting aspects of my own
experiences and identity.
Like any artist, you must have faced challenges along the way. Can you share
some of these challenges and how you've overcome them?
Certainly. One significant challenge was finding balance during intense creative
periods, particularly when working on my "Recurring Dreams" series.
I had to learn to maintain my mental well-being while fully committing to my art.
Additionally, overcoming initial skepticism from family members about pursuing art
as a career was another hurdle I faced.
Your perseverance is admirable. Looking ahead, what are your next goals or
artistic projects?
In the near future, I plan to travel and draw inspiration from various museums
worldwide.
I also aim to deepen connections within the artistic community.
Artistically, I aspire to continue innovating and exploring new mediums. Currently,
I'm working on a physical print drop project and preparing for my solo exhibition in
Milan this April.
It sounds like you have exciting endeavors ahead. Thank you, Pho, for sharing
your insights and experiences with us today.
Thank you for having me. It's been a pleasure.
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