Keanu Sapadi plays with powerful gestures and persuasive imagery. Fluid forms and dynamic patterns reveal vibrance, an attribute of color, that he translates into drawing. He explores the energy of his body, the sensitivity of his wrist and fingertips, non-controlled approach and custom-built tools to enhance movement and impose parameters. Despite diversity, his logic remains understandable without additional context.
Mischievous humour is pinched into the scenery by displaying the influence of subculture like metal, indie and emo, as well as cartoon, anime and video games, further researched in digital drawing. He uses his work to initiate a discussion addressing healthy progression in an accelerated society. He makes a clear point for the full range of emotions, rather than dividing them in good and bad. Ultimately, he critiques the post-modern individual's lack of diversified perspective, focusing too much on being well. According to Sapadi this is the first step towards a dysfunctional emotional balance, comparable to the one-dimensional madness of fictional characters.
A deep sense of safety echoes through his drawings. As if a paternalistic voice remains silent out of kindness, believing in a progressive outcome due to autonomous exploration and discovery. The artist's images invoke an experienced, akin to abstract expressionism, but with different concentration. This phenomenon stems from his process-oriented method.
Sapadi's fascination to explore and discover fuels his artistic process. Experiencing the beautiful, but harsh reality as it is. Through observation he translates, what is happening. - "Things happen in space. Space itself is not affected. Things simply fill the emptiness that space provides. The same goes for feelings." - A belief aiding in reflection, helping Keanu Sapadi to maintain composure amidst his artistic calamity, blending tranquility into the creative chaos. Opening combinations that should repel themselves, but attract. His imagery leaves an invitation into abstract landscapes of seemingly destructive emotions, that otherwise have no home.
Qiyana Sapadi
Experiencing the work of Keanu Sapadi
Keanu Richard Sapadi is a "rheinische Frohnatur", born in 1993 in Brühl, Germany. He studied fine arts from 2016 - 2023 at Kunsthochschule Weissensee Berlin, finishing with a diploma and title of Meisterschüler. In his work Sapadi connects the joyful attitude of the west and the coolness of the capital, Berlin.
On the right side, you see the work "Rollercoaster"."At that time, the distinct goal was to empty myself. I could not define it better back then. But that's actually a great starting point to put things together," Sapadi reflects. It captures everyday emotions—joy, anger, fear, desire, peace, and everything in between—placing them onto the medium like emotional expressionism. Drawing from the Ancient Greek idea of catharsis (κάθαρσις)—meaning "purification" or "cleansing"—his art initiates a process of restoration and renewal, which he initiates through facing emotion. He explores a concept of ethereal sensitivity, which transforms perception into creative energy.
This state of mind embraces impermanence. Ease and uneasiness are intertwined—just like in everyday life, where moments of smooth flow alternate with effort and struggle. Grace reveals when effort transforms into ease. Losing this kind of beauty would be a shame. Discipline carves the way to effortlessness. In the end, walking the path is the goal.
For example: To naturally express ethereal sensitivity, spiritual protection and mental stability are needed. That's why peace needs maintenance. Demanding gratification and comfort opposes true serenity. Sapadi's art embodies the raw experience of perseverance. He firmly believes, Catharsis is an archaic stepping stone leading to liberation, restoring the feeling of lightness. Wouldn't losing the ability to deal with anger diminish the ability to maintain peace? Many others face similar struggles in their heart. That's Sapadi's reason to aesthetically map out his exploration.
He inherited a discipline carried over generations. Growing up with a German culture of philosophy and Tibetan buddhism, the artist explores their intersections through contemporary art, giving back by making an argument for the freedom of the cultural product that is art.
Art is everything, you want it to be. And everything, you don’t want it to be, too.
Artist Statement
