DALeast was born in 1984 in Wuhan, China and now travels the world with his art. His unique and breath taking murals can be found in many countries, such as Poland, Sweden, China, Australia, America just to name a few. The fragmented style of DALeast captures his subjects energy and grace perfectly, dominating many skylines with his epic animals.

DALeast spent 2016 travelling, absorbing the majestic and wonderful sights of Nepal, India and Bali. He currently resides in San Francisco where he has been since December preparing for his latest solo show, ‘Plasma’.

We catch up with DALeast about his recent travels and what we can expect from his upcoming and highly anticipated solo show, plus we get to share with you a sneak peek of new works especially for the show. Check it out …

GraffitiStreet

What motivated you to pursue an artistic career, how and when did it all start?

DALeast

I started to do art at a very young age, but at that time I had no concept of art, what it meant to be an artist or art as a career. I thought as a child and still think today, that’s just our nature to create art. When I was a child I thought, everyone does art and created things, but the reality is different, we gave a concept to things called art, some people become artists, then there is a career.

Daleast, Plasma solo show. San Francisco 2017

GraffitiStreet

Did you have a formal art education?

DALeast

I went to a fine art institute. In school, I learned technique. Now I am trying to forget technique and focus on creativity. The technical part is attached to the left side of the brain and the creativity is coming from the right side of the brain. It needs to be balanced. I am trying to focus more on the creative and not the technical.

Daleast, Plasma solo show. San Francisco 2017

GraffitiStreet

What was the urban art scene like when you were growing up in Wuhan (central China's most populated city) compared with today?

DALeast

My friends and I were really the first generation to do urban art there and leave some marks on the street. It was a challenge, but also a lot of fun. I painted mostly in my home town, but also painted in other cities around China. There is a little bit of urban art there now, but not much there compared to the rest of the world. There may be more possibility to explore there in the future.

Daleast, Plasma solo show. San Francisco 2017

GraffitiStreet

Who/What are your biggest influences; people, movements, traditions, styles that brought you to the style that we know and love today?

DALeast

I appreciate all the traditions and movements, they help form the history and the future. They are all part of the evolution of art. It’s like an evolutionary tree. What we do now are branches from the greater tree of movements that came before us. I am influenced by all movements and traditions. One of the essential elements of graffiti is you have to do something that is unique, so your works stand out. When I moved away from Graffiti I kept that essence of being trying to be unique. That is important to me. I try to avoid following other artist’s direction. I have consciously or unconsciously always tried to make my work different. That’s how you create something new and fresh. I hope I have done that.

Daleast, Urban Forms street art gallery, Lodz, Poland. Photo credit M. Sikora

GraffitiStreet

You recently took a year out in 2016 to travel Nepal, India and Bali. Do you feel as an artist these experiences influence your art and are important for growth?

DALeast

Yes, definitely. It’s so precious to spend long quality time traveling. I think that’s really important for artists to experience things besides just creating. They are such rich countries in the sense of history, art, culture and spirituality. I was wide open, I felt I was a plant that put myself in that ground to grow … and I absorbed the nutrients from the soil in each of those countries. Now I carry that inside me, even though I am not there anymore, the plant is growing and bearing fruit. It’s interesting to see the urban art happening now in India. I feel India is in the position of still holding the richness of its history and traditions yet encountering new phases of artistic expression. Urban Art is a good way for people to express themselves and there are people bringing urban art to India. Programs like ST India. It is great what they are doing.

DALeast at Lodhi colony, ST+Art Festival 2015. Photo by Akshat Nauriyal

GraffitiStreet

You have knowledge with traditional Chinese art, did you encounter other local/traditional art methods on your recent travels? And will you be experimenting and fusing these into your own art?

DALeast

I did experience different art traditions related to the places I traveled to. I do take all that in. It’s all nourishment for the something new. I am open to any tradition and method. I believe that we don’t own or belong to anything. Everything can become a way of expression. I take the essence of what I experience not the specifics or the form. I would love to transform the essence, blend and fuse those things into my own being.

Daleast, Plasma solo show. San Francisco 2017

GraffitiStreet

Bali is a spiritual place, when you’re filled with spiritual energy, you feel great inspiration and a connection with the world, did this experience ignite your passion for the upcoming solo show?

DALeast

Bali was the last stop in my one year journey. It is a very special place, an artistic and spiritual realm where I was able to review my experiences. It influenced me on a deeper level, it’s subtle but easily felt. There are certain places that are not easy to put into words. Bali is one of them. It influenced my work and how I see things.

Daleast, Plasma solo show. San Francisco 2017

GraffitiStreet

What are the different challenges you are confronted with when painting murals in the street vs painting works in the studio?

DALeast

Painting on the street is totally different than working in the studio, from my experience. There’s more uncertainty in the public space. The process is a conversation with the public. It’s more private and intimate than working in the studio. In the studio, the process is more a conversation with yourself.

Daleast, Plasma solo show. San Francisco 2017

GraffitiStreet

What was your favourite experience from your recent travels?

DALeast

Seeing things differently, encountering things that shifted my habits. Open a new direction from my experience and spending time with wise ones who can influence and inspire you in different ways. Those are very precious and mind-blowing experiences.

DALeast. Photo © Jarrad Seng

GraffitiStreet

You have spent christmas in San Francisco and now preparing for your next solo show 'Plasma', which opens on the 18th March 2017. Tell us about the show and what can we expect to see?

DALeast

It’s wonderful spending time in San Francisco. I feel I have gotten back to the life I am familiar with and start a creative conversation again through painting. The works come from what I have experienced through my recent travels. They are still frames that blended with my recent journeys, and the journey continues.

Daleast, Plasma solo show. San Francisco 2017

GraffitiStreet

Do you have any other travels/ festivals/ projects lined up for 2017?

DALeast

Yes, I have to get back to work and seems like I will be busy.

Daleast, Plasma solo show. San Francisco 2017

We would like to thank DALeast for taking time out whilst preparing for his upcoming solo show ‘Plasma’.

His first exhibition of original paintings since 2015 will be held at Weinstein contemporary gallery in San Francisco. The show officially opens on 18th March and runs up until 22nd April 2017.