Meet Thiago Valdi | Muralist Urban Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Thiago Valdi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Thiago, how do you think about risk?
I believe when we assume our dreams we are accepting a great risk. In my case the dream to become an urban artist, even without academic study or something. I was completely blind in the beginning and the only light i had to clarify my path was the shine of my dream. I had to face many difficult choices to incorpore it in my life, to transform an idea to reality. So, i had to learn how to live with risks all the time, in different ways. For example: To quit a job to have more time to paint: Risk. To go out in the streets with a spray can to create a name for yourself: Risk. To say in public that i’m urban artist, in that time urban artist was not a cool thing: Risk And to keep going in the darkness, everyday believing in art. So, to live with this feeling and this uncertainty is to accept risk as part of the artistic life. Not only me but all artists may face this dilema.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I didn’t had a clue what I was doing when I left my home with a spray can in my backpack. I was 17 years old and loved to skip life problems and responsibilities with my drawings. So i decided to paint on the streets, with my rebel and eccentric friends. To paint and to express myself start as a hobby, but one day I understood that i was a necessity. I could not live without it. So my adventure on the streets began. I’ve spend many years painting around my city in Brazil, and with this experience I noticed that my art had impact on the peoples lives. That’s change me once more because now it was not only about me, my ego and my own expressions needs, I had a responsibility to create something meaningful. With this idea in my I decided to assume my artistic mission to make the urban spaces a better place. It was 15 yeas ago and until today i’m very motivated to create something to inspire people.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m very connected with the seas around the island where I live. So I always bring my friends to the beach site, to drink and eat a wonderful seafood.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I was lucky enough to have a lot of help and mentorship on my path. People that was also painting on the streets like me, trying to create something meaningful for the people. My urban artists friend from my hometown Florianopólis. My father who taught me to love art. My inspiring muse Marcela that heal my fear with love. Great urban artists who became masters and Friends like Vejam, Rizo and L7M. I understand that alone we can’t go further, and i’m very thankful for this people in my life.

Website: www.valdivaldi.com.br

Instagram: @thiagovaldi

Facebook: @valdivaldi

Youtube: @thiagovaldi