Name / Alias: Lichiban
Where are you originally from? The cosmic womb, I entered my current earthly existence in Hungary.
What do you currently do for a living?
First and foremost, I am a painter, illustrator and muralist. I also work as a freelance designer and art mentor.
What inspires you in your daily pursuit of life?
My spiritual pursuit, other’s and my own creativity, the sun, my ancestor spirits, snow leopards and other felines, the mysteries of love, colors, children’s imagination, the ocean, people especially from my artist community, Brooklyn and the conviction that I have a mission to accomplish in this life.
Tell us more about your art and your style?
I work predominantly on wood, and have a special affinity for faces. When a face speaks to me, I draw or paint it to translate the emotional intensity and the hidden story behind the face. I’ve been told that I paint people’s dreams without being aware of doing it. Stylistically, my work would probably be tagged as pop or pop surrealist and it draws on elements of tribal art, comic books & animations, symbolism, surrealism and fantasy illustration. Most recently, I have started working on a number of feline superheroes to visually narrate my mystical mythology I have been developing. They will represent different evolutionary stages on the way to the ever-flowing nectar of immortality. Their first representations were revealed at my most recent art show, THE SECRET LIVES OF SAMURAIS FROM THE LAND OF ETERNAL LOVE, which was about the heart chakra symbolically represented by my feline samurai, Lotusheart. My works are intended to be spirit-transformers or gateways to a vibration field I am here to manifest as an artist.
Favorite art influences?
Some of my first art influences were the children’s book illustrations I used to collect and study as a kid. I’ve been a seeker since I was 14, so some of my most significant influences were the illustrations that accompanied the mythological, alchemical, tantric, sufi, Taoist and Buddhists texts I was reading. I’ve been a big fan of Hieronymus Bosch, Dürer, Aubrey Beardsley, surrealists such as Max Ernst, Dali, Rene Magritte, Frida and love art nouveau and deco. I love street art and been a fan of a lot of contemporary heavy-hitters such as Doze Green, David Ellis, AJ Fosik, Mode 2, Sam Flores, Maya Hayuk and my artist friends across the globe to mention only a few…the list is endless.
How important does heritage play a role in your art?
Hmmm, depends on how I interpret ‘heritage.’ I inherited influences from my past lives, my peoples’ nomadic roots in Central Asia, my upbringing in an Eastern European communist country with very limited opportunities to succeed as an artist, my various life events (including all the extreme high’s and low’s) and so on. They have and continue to feed and shape my art and push me toward new horizons.
Most artists have a dream place they wish to live or visit, what’s yours?
The Himalayas! I got pretty close 3 years ago, I was at the foot of the mountains in Kashmir for a month, but I didn’t have a chance to take a trip all the way up there. But I dream of going back and visiting Ladakh and Tibet. There is something I have to learn there. For the moment, my dream place to live is Brooklyn.
Favorite color and why? Turquoise. I believe it is the color of the heart.
What’s the significance of wood for that material of choice?
I love wood because it creates a certain mood with its unexpected patterns and organic quality…a certain kind of softness and sensuality. And it feels good to touch it…it makes me feel good working on it… I am all about having a holistic body-mind experience while working on a piece.
Top 5 songs on your playlist?
I’ve been listening these days the most to J Dilla – Oblighetto, Midnight Express – Danger Zone, Massurati - Super Dupa Lovin’, Woolfy - That Lady, Cubic Zirconia - The Phone.
Favorite places, cities, retreats?
New York, for the arts & density of creative talents, Budapest, for memories, London, for its edge & innovative spirit, Fez (Morocco), for its trance music, Srinagar (Kashmir, India), for knowledge. My studio, where the magic happens. The ocean, it is my liquid aloe.
What books are you currently reading?
The Art of Tantra and The Collected Poems of Rumi (trans. By Coleman Barks).
What new projects are you building on right now?
I am preparing for my new show BLING THY INNER WEALTH and collaborating with some of my favorite artist friends such as Upendo, Concep, Livingroom Johnston, Rodney White, Quan Luv, Paridee Kositchiranant and Gabrielle Watson. I’m also developing new feline characters and create a story around them to represent spiritual concepts as stated before. I am working on a big mural project and I will be collaborating with some brands and doing illustrations for some of my favorite musical artists. The first one to look out for is Nikki Ntu’s new album produced by Melo-X. I am also going to be a more involved member of Younity, the New York-based female art collective founded by Alice Mizrahi and Toofly. Whew… always keep it just busy enough to handle.
What’s the most memorable moment of your career thus far?
My first solo show, THE SECRET SAMURAIS in Brooklyn last December. Everyone I knew and love came out and showed support… I was deeply moved. It was an amazing night crowning three months of super hard work.
Favorite local spot you feel people need to check out?
Red Bamboo restaurant in Fort Greene, BK. Tasty vegetarian soul food and also the host for my new art show “BLING THY INNER WEALTH: The Hermetic Test”, which will be on display from April 9th until July 
What super hero powers do you wish you had?
I do have superhero powers…can’t talk about it though.
If you could interview someone else, who and why?
Andy Amadi Okoroafor, art director, founder of Clam Magazine, film director and visionary. He was one of the first persons who believed in my work and gave me an opportunity to shine in his publication. He is one of the most prolific peoples I know and his creativity and drive never ceases to amaze me. He is currently working on Relentless, a movie based in Lagos, Nigeria about love and the aftermath of war… a topic that has been an inspiration for me in much of my travels.
Define success?
Being able to do and live off of what you love, while maintaining your integrity and never taking the love that comes your way for granted. If you overlook basic human values and rules of engagement in pursuit of success, you’ll end up having to eat the sour fruits of your labor. Success is about love: loving yourself, loving your work and being surrounded by people you love, who love you and love what you do…pretty simple yet it takes some work to get there.
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