Interview with Cena7

Hi Cena7, Can you introduce yourself? Where are you from? Why the name Cena7?

For sure, I can. My name is Michel Ramalho de Toledo, I am of Sao Bernardo do Campo, a city of Sao Paulo - Brazil.
The name CENA7?! Han... Next question...



When did you start painting? Did you go to art school?

I started to paint very young, when I was 9, maybe 10 years old...
In the streets I started to paint when I was 14 years but I was not signing as "CENA7" at this time, I used to write the name "MORAL" with some friends, this happened in 1999.
I went to schools of art when I was 15 years of age, and today's, at 23 years and I do Faculty of visual arts.



Who or what influence you and your art? Where do you get your inspiration from?

What influences me and my work may be things that I don't even know how to say ... But I believe the city is largely responsible, the womens, the mad things in the world ...
And of course an unconscious collective and personnel manifests that I agree to and feel I need to create. My inspiration is to see and learn about things that are around me,
my inspiration is all that makes me tremble.



Do you prefer to paint outside or inside?

Certainly I prefer painting outside.



Can you explain the mix of Flower, Insect and people in your style of painting?

I must say that the art to be really good, has to be sincere, so sincere that doesn´t need "truths" and no need any explanations. My work speaks for itself, I can not and also can not explain with certainty what I do, I just do, simply, because I need to do, for an inner necessity that drives me ... So it is that happens, I can say with certainty is that with what I like, with not avoid.



Do you work in collaboration with other artist?

Sometimes, it is rare that happens in a direct contact.



How do you see the Street Art movement evolve in Brazil in the next few years?

Honnestly ... I don´t know. Some feel so advanced, but end up away from all ... And some are in it, can not communicate with many, they lock in their worlds and it makes them enough.
For me a good Street Art is that you alter in any way, that conversation with different types of person, young, elderly, women, men ... Finally ... I believe that evolution can not betray us. It should be smooth and collective, one(s) for all.



What are your plans in the near future?

Continue, always continue... Paint more and more, This is my plan.



You can see Cena7's work at http://www.flickr.com/photos/cena7-mpc