When I see murals made by female artists, I get excited: the details become more familiar, the stories deeper, and the emotions come alive. One of the most representative artists to me is Anis88, a Chilean street artist and illustrator. She lives in Valparaiso, the fifth region of Chile.
located in Calle Pilcomayo, Valparaiso
Anis 88 Vision
I’m extremely proud of Anis88’s artworks and I love her unique style. Her artworks share the same color schemes of purple, pink, yellow, and several shades of red. the murals of Anis88 are dedicated to all women in resistance. Like Amazon’s warriors, it signifies women of all ages, women are considered targets of conflict and women as symbols of struggle.
Q&A Interview with Anis 88
When did you start painting on the streets and where?
I started street painting in Santiago when I was 12 years old.
Who are you influenced by?
My influences are closely illustrative. I really like Moebis and Gauguin, although I try to not let anyone influence me too much. I like painting spontaneously. Something that inspires me a lot is the conversations that I have with people.
Your paintings are inspired by free women, and you use colors to express the vision of their freedom in the Universe. Could you tell us more about this?
I like to see the freedom of women, even if it’s only through the paintings,I speak about all of them in general. I use the colors to engage with those who are not yet established. They can be women in disguise, Asian, indigenous, Latin, or mestizo.
You fight for women’s rights. Often our society is sexist and, unfortunately, sometimes this also happens in the graffiti art environment as well. Women are seldom recognized as graffiti artists. What is your thought about this? Anis88, have you ever felt discriminated against in the street art scene?
I believe that phase has already gone that they do not recognize us. Who has to recognize us? The men? That we recognize each other is enough! I feel that the street art scene and society has evolved a lot and those who are not evolving are obsolete. We are at the beginning of a new era where we are the female protagonists.
What styles/techniques inspire Anis88?
I really like impressionism and expressionism; they inspire me a lot.
Similarly, I love the futuristic style a lot, and also acrylics. The hard form of painting catches my attention a lot.
Have you ever been part of a crew or have you collaborated with any other street artist?
Yes, I am part of the AsubA’s crew. We are a couple with Wend, and we have been painting together since 2009. I’ve collaborated with many artists around the world.
Where do you want to take your art?
I want to keep my art in constant evolution, bring it to the center of the Chilean street art scene and take it across the World. I would like it to transcend and inspire many future generations, to help me to liberate myself and to recognize myself through it.
Have you ever participated in any Street Art Festivals? Where?
Yes, I’ve participated in many Street Art Festivals, including Warmi Paint 2015 in Ecuador, Fusion Festival in Germany 2016, Womad in UK 2016, and Pantanal Festival in Brazil 2019.
What are your plans for the future?
Nowadays it is difficult to plan. In conclusion, I think I would like to keep living on my artistic work, paint a lot, meet good people, be in good health, and deliver what I can to all the people who like to contemplate art.