L'ARTISTE: Pepi Erdbories x Fendi

A new Fendi boutique opens in the Königsallee fashion district of Düsseldorf. To celebrate the inauguration, the German artist Pepi Erdbories, represented by the Baodt.Art Gallery, gives life to a new version of the Peekaboo – the bag created by Silvia Venturini Fendi in 2008 -, with two handwritten messages on yellow, badge of the house.

L'Officiel Italia: How did you enter the world of art?:
Pepi Erdbories: From an early age I felt an inner desire to be creative, which led me to paint and create illustrations. I started as an illustrator but over time I experimented with various techniques, until I found my own personal style in painting. By sharing my art on social media, I have been noticed by the public and the art world.

LOI: What is your vision of art?
PE: With my work I try to create an external frame, within which an inner play of thoughts can express itself. By combining abstract art and textual art I invite viewers to identify with my works individually and connect their own story to them. Art can be interpreted differently by everyone, but it has the power to connect us through shared emotions and feelings. At best, through art we feel empowered and gain greater self-awareness and understanding.

LOI : Who are the masters who have influenced your research?
PE: Katharina Grosse and Christopher Wool among many great artists that I admire.

LOI: How does your creative process work?
PE: It doesn't follow a precise plan. Sometimes I imagine the artwork and have a clear idea of what I want to create. Other times, the work develops step by step and is influenced by coincidences. I simply start and then try to let myself be guided by the flow, listening to my sensations and my intuition.

LOI: How do you think your works are received by the public?
PE : I am grateful for the positive feedback I receive and that my art is an inspiration, and I am proud that it is part of many private collections around the world.  

LOI: In the twentieth century many movements worked with lettering, from Futurism to visual poetry. What's your point of view?
PE : The words become a work of art, not only in sound, but also in appearance. Because my work combines abstract and textual art, I believe this combination makes it easier to connect with each other on a personal level. Calligraphy addresses the subconscious, evoking dreams, memories, thoughts…

LOI: Why do you think they chose you to customize the Peekaboo?
PE: I am grateful that Fendi discovered my work through Baodt.Art Gallery, with which I collaborate and which accompanied the project.

LOI: What do you have in common with the brand?
PE: I believe that love and passion for creation drives us. Nina Suess (influencer and co-founder of Baodt) and I went to the Fendi headquarters in Rome, where we had a tour of the archives. I met passionate people and felt their energy. The collaboration was a special experience.

LOI: What is the message you give to Peekaboo?
PE: It all starts with an idea, a vision, like the Peekaboo designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi. I have two messages and they are about dreaming and believing. It's about bringing the imagination into the real world. The first message, “Ca n't you see it 's more than just a dream?”, means that we should listen to our inner voice: we have dreams and desires for a specific reason. And to make things happen, we have to trust the power we have within us. This is the meaning of the second message: “The universe blooms with every heartbeat of yours”. This bag proves that ideas can come to life and that it's always worth dreaming and chasing your dreams.

LOI: Do you plan to develop your art in other ways?
PE: Absolutely yes. I'm working on my first sculptures. Art is my path to happiness and I will always be looking for new ways to express myself through it.

LOI: Any plans for the future?
PE: After an exhibition in New York, there will be others in Austria and Germany. My attention is directed to works on canvas and sculpture.