Taking inspiration from graffiti artists, the artist utilized repurposed fire extinguishers filled with vibrant paint to create the canvases. Applied to the canvas under high pressure, the colorful paint is used to convey movement, transition, evolution, and transformation, mirroring how society evolves. The melting and running of the paint create a sense of chaos, speaking to the idea that life is often messy and unpredictable. Amid the chaos, there are explosions of colors blending and mixing together on the canvases. This contrast encourages viewers to consider the complexity and interconnectedness of the world we live in, with the bright colors creating a sense of positivity and hope. The pieces in the exhibition are seemingly displayed upside down, with the drips and runs rising towards the sky in an ethereal manner. This unique approach provides a fresh perspective on the world, with the apparent inversion of gravity encouraging viewers to see things in a new light and to question established norms and conventions. Equally, this sense of weightlessness and freedom in the artwork add to humanity’s instinctively aspirational desire for a positive future.
Fink22’s works express all the power and spontaneity that the work of a street artist has in his DNA. The liquid color literally “sprayed” by the fire extinguishers mixes creating harmonious nuances. Fink22’s works are urban poetics expressed on canvas.
Marco Fraschetti
Adidas Originals and Fink 22’s creative relationship goes back to 2022 when the artist conceptualized and executed a unique installation for the launch of the Spring/Summer 2022 Blue Version Collection. adidas Originals has strengthened its collaboration with the artist this year by supporting “Extinguished”, making it the first such gallery exhibition endorsement by the brand in the region. Fink 22’s passion for adidas has roots in his childhood when the three stripes became the inspiration for several of his amateur drawings and designs. adidas Originals has closely followed the work of the rising star in the last few years as it mirrors the brand’s authenticity, energy and heritage. After the successful reception of his one-of-a-kind installation for the Blue Version Collection in 2023, Adidas Originals is looking forward to an even more evocative response to Fink 22’s new exhibition at Foundry in Dubai. True to its ethos, adidas Originals has been at the forefront of cultural moments and positive transformations around the world, working with local and resident artists like Fink 22. The brand aims to provide an enriching platform to upcoming and shining talents in art, music and entertainment from the region so that they can nurture their passion and careers. The adidas Originals flagship store in Dubai Mall is one of the brand’s many spaces dedicated to the expression of open collaboration, open conversation and building the local creative community.
FOREWORD by Giuseppe Moscatello, Extinguished Exhibition Curator
Society is in a constant state of evolution, influenced by a variety of factors such as politics, economics, and culture. Recent years have witnessed a rapid acceleration in technological advancements, fundamentally changing the way we live, work, and interact with one another. While some commentators suggest that recent advances in Artificial Intelligence could threaten humanity, artists are the vanguard in responding to such challenges.
Artists possess a unique and absolute power – using emotion for expressive creativity – that artificial intelligence will never be able to replicate.
Understandably, though, some artists may worry that Al-generated art could undermine the value of human creativity or make their own work less valuable.
Despite these concerns, artists continue to play a crucial role in sparking debates about important social, political, and cultural issues.
By using their creative vision, artists highlight the pressing issues of our time and challenge us to think critically about the world we live in. They provide a platform for discussion and engagement, inspiring us to take action to create positive change, and in the near future, their role in shaping society will be even more significant.
As society continues to evolve, artists like Fink 22 are uniquely positioned to capture the essence of their time and place. Through their creative vision, they offer a reflection of the world around them, inviting viewers to consider the complexities of modern society. Fink 22’s use of repurposed fire extinguishers as brushes is a powerful metaphor that speaks to the tool’s original purpose of protecting people from dangerous flames by extinguishing them. The vibrant acrylic paints used in his artwork is an innovative approach to the traditional canvas, reflecting the creative spirit of the graffiti scene across the world.
I am extremely proud to curate Fink 22’s exhibition “Extinguished” at Foundry, in collaboration with adidas Originals. As a company that has been at the forefront of cultural moments and positive transformations around the world, adidas Originals works with local and resident artists like Fink 22 to empower and elevate their artistic talents. The collaboration between Fink 22 and adidas Originals underscores the importance of art in shaping society and inspiring positive change.
For more information you can follow the artist on Instagram.
