Check Out Raphael Grischa’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Raphael Grischa.

Hi Raphael, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born in Switzerland and grew up in a small village. The way my parents raised me and my two older brothers – was an emotionally open, forward-looking, and modern way of thinking and living. Our house was a safe haven, a very welcoming space for intellectuals, creatives, and all manner of interesting people. From an early age, I was exposed to fashion photography by a family friend and world-renowned photographer, Hans Feurer various illustrations and drawings by the likes of Friedrich Dürrenmatt, adoringly displayed on the walls. Dancing to the Beatles and admiring the vinyl artwork by Bob Marley & The Wailers, I was entering the world of MTV, and influenced by my older brothers, started listening to Rap.

My passion for Hip Hop, especially Graffiti culture, was stronger than the goal to finish an apprenticeship as a graphic designer or graduate from the University of the Arts in London. While leaving the safe harbour of my family’s household, I saw it slowly fall apart, experiencing my parents’ divorce, and later the early death of my mother from cancer. I mastered this emotional turmoil and work-related pressure with creative outlets. Being open to new adventures, I trusted my autodidactic skills and outgoing personality. This led me into contact with many people from the art world, who let me participate in collective art shows, encouraged me to organise my own events, print and sell my own designed clothes.

I continued to create art – analogue, digital, on the streets, in my friends’ studios, all while traveling, on the road to everywhere being excited about everything.

Currently, I’m working and living in Berlin, the city of my maternal ancestors. Here, I was able to connect more and more to the ever-growing Hip Hop community. My wide range of handicrafts is welcomed by musicians, and I was able to create cover art visuals to design merchandise, as well as direct, produce, and edit music videos. Within that Rap bubble, I was able to collaborate with some of the most successful German artists such as Raf Camora (a multi-award-winning Rapper and the most streamed German musician). Furthermore, I curated and executive produced various songs, like “Sallan”, which became in 2020, one of the biggest Rap-hits in Turkey, the musician’s (*Xir) homeland.

I crafted and found my signature style while painting walls in the Favelas of Rio de Janeiro and in Downtown Los Angeles. My illustrative, organically, bold outlined style, mainly focused on animals and colour patterns – have been adapted to murals, canvas, prints, digital art, and tattoos and continues to evolve. I strongly belief in a multidisciplinary practice. Never shy to expand my expertise while incorporating different media and material. I treat my network in a similar way. Open to collaboration with a broad group of individuals, led me into the fields of architecture, fashion design, 3D design, film, and photography to name a few.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Some of my biggest challenges have been believing in myself, developing self-confidence and trust. Letting go of fear made me stronger to face difficult situations, especially losing my mother was very intense. I grew up very privileged, compared to worldwide standards, as Switzerland is a very rich country. This leads people to work in regular jobs and have a magnificent life, but as an artist it can be tough. A lot of people from my youth had passion and great skills in the arts, in music, rap, dancing, etc. But very, very few made a living out of it. Learning about dealing with money, developing business skills / learning about taxes is very crucial, especially if you want to be free and self-employed. Finding harmony between creating my own art and working for commercial purposes is still something I’m dealing with, as we often gravitate to the easiest way of making money and lose our real goals as artists along the way.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I think there are very few people out there who understand the wide range of work I produce. I can adapt and gravitate to all kinds of things. Today I’d paint some canvas; I’d write a script, the other day I worked on some jewelry. This is how I feel as a complete artist. Sure thing, in history, and also in my case, there’s an element standing out in an artist’s career. Warhol’s screenprints, Dalis detail and skill, and Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Many people love my colourful animals, and it’s something I developed through many years, and still try to sort of perfect it, but also working against it, to break out of my comfort zone. I felt really humbled when I received a letter of appreciation by the City of Los Angeles; this was a great moment in my life, thanks to Gabba Gallery (Jason Ostro). I made a living out of my passion, that’s something that comes not for granted and I’m very thankful for that. I continue to push culture and connect with people worldwide, and I’ll always have my hands and thoughts on multiple projects – some get to fruition some might never be released to the public.

What matters most to you?
I’d say great relationships. Starting with myself, as I want to grow as a human, so I need to be kind to my body and mind as it’s my most important tool to get through life. Continuing with the people who are closest to me, as when you go through life as I do, you see many people come and go, so it takes work and effort to keep long-lasting relationships. It’s human empowerment, and community work, that strengthens and heals us as a society.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @el_grischa
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBiVEFHTZAo

Image Credits
Only the main portrait should be credited: Lotta Milena Bauer