Deniss Inkins
Year of birth: 1981
Where do you live: London
Your education: 2013 London College of Contemporary Arts (LCCA) – Photography
Describe your art in three words: I work in my unique and free artistic technique, incorporating abstraction, surrealism, pop art, minimalism, and street art, which allows me to bring dynamism and freshness to each piece. The main concept of my creativity focuses on exploring the theme of money, and I strive to interpret it through a philosophical lens, adding depth and relevance to each work.
Your discipline: All the canvases I paint are unique works of art, and my creations include graphics, wood painting, photography, and collages. Each painting represents a special abstraction of color, shape, and texture. My painting is a process of discovery, and I passionately love to experiment.
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Deniss Inkins, Bloody Oil
You have created a unique artistic direction known as “Poundism.” Can you tell us more about what inspired this concept and how you see it evolving in the future?
The creation of “Poundism” has become a natural expression of my desire to understand the changing role of money in the modern world. I have always believed that money is not just a medium of exchange, but a powerful symbol of our time that influences human relationships and social structures. The inspiration came from a radical exploration of the symbolism of the British pound sterling and its historical and cultural significance. “Poundism” is meant not only to capture this symbolism but also to provoke reflection on how money shapes our perception of the world.
I envision the future of “Poundism” as a space for experimentation and dialogue. With the evolution of technology and digital currencies (such as cryptocurrencies), I plan to integrate new media and methods to make the concept more accessible and relevant to my time. I believe that directions such as NFTs and virtual reality can open new horizons for our understanding of monetary value.
In your series “Bitcoin” and “City Mask,” you explore themes around currency, technology, and societal change. How do these works reflect your views on modern society and the role of money?
The “Bitcoin” series is a visual exploration of the transformation of the financial system. I use street art techniques to showcase the dynamics and ambiguity of our time—the shift from traditional currencies to digital ones, which fundamentally changes our perception of value. The emergence of cryptocurrency and its growth symbolize, for me, humanity’s quest for innovation, freedom, and self-expression.
Ultimately, the “Bitcoin” series is more than just art. It is an expression of my understanding of the world of money, a reflection of the changes in our society’s distorted financial reality, and a personal perspective on a future where wages, savings, and investments may look completely different. It is a challenge I pose to myself and those around me to reflect on the changes in our financial lives and to seek the opportunities presented by this new era of digital money.
On the other hand, “City Mask” is based on the experience of the pandemic, during which money became not only a source of fear and anxiety but also a symbol of survival and adaptation. By using elements related to childhood and play, I aimed to convey the deep connection between family values and the need for material well-being. These works highlight how crucial aspects of our lives, such as health and family, are often overshadowed by the pursuit of money.
Deniss Inkins, Bitcoin, 2021Your “Bloody Oil” series touches on themes of wealth, prosperity, and the darker aspects of oil as a global resource. What emotions or messages do you hope viewers take away from these works?
The “Bloody Oil” series reflects the contradictory nature of oil as wealth. I want viewers to realize that behind this turbulent flow of finance lies not only prosperity but also numerous tragedies and conflicts. Oil is portrayed as a resource that creates economies, but also as a source of suffering. I aim to evoke a range of emotions—from admiration to anxiety—pushing viewers to reflect on their own perspectives on wealth and how it shapes our lives.
The use of symbols such as blood illustrates that behind every successful business is a story of people who have lost everything. My works encourage the audience to contemplate the inseparable connection between economic well-being and human value. This dialogue about the cost at which we obtain this prosperity remains relevant regardless of the time period.
You often incorporate symbolic elements, like the skull and cross in the “Bloody Oil” series. What is the significance of these symbols in your art, and how do they connect to your philosophical view of life and death?
The symbolism of the skull and cross in my works carries profound philosophical significance. The skull symbolizes the transience of life and serves as a warning about the fleeting nature of material wealth. In the context of my pieces dedicated to oil, it also becomes a metaphor for the value attained through blood and sacrifice. This serves as a clear reference to the “vanitas” tradition, but in a contemporary context, it reminds us of the need to maintain a balance between the pursuit of material prosperity and the preservation of human values.
On the other hand, the skull also represents joy for me, largely influenced by Mexican culture, where it embodies the celebration of the Day of the Dead—a time when it is customary to rejoice and honor those who have passed. Here, the skull becomes a symbol of good fortune and acts as a folk talisman that protects the space it occupies.
The cross embodies both spiritual aspects and the limitations imposed by society. It is a powerful symbol of struggle, hope, and overcoming the moral conflicts we face as individuals. When combined with the skull, the cross enhances the protective meaning that I incorporate into my paintings, adding depth and layers to their significance.
Together, the skull and cross create a powerful visual narrative that explores both the dark and light facets of our existence in the modern world, where financial resources and material values largely define our lives.
Deniss Inkins, City MaskMany of your works are created in a raw, free technique, breaking classical art education norms. How did you develop your style, and what influences led you to this unconventional approach?
My style has developed organically through experimenting with various techniques and materials. I turned away from traditional methods to explore my individuality and independence as an artist. The influence of masters such as Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol helped me understand how to work without rigid boundaries, finding freedom in abstraction and street art.
I have come to the conclusion that art should be engaged and accessible, so I strive to make it expressive and honest, even if it appears raw and unrefined. This free technique allows me to convey genuine emotions and experiences rather than merely adhering to strict canons. This approach creates a unique signature that distinguishes me from other artists.
I enjoy incorporating elements of cubism, abstraction, pop art, and street art into my works. They contain a certain chaos, which is part of the abstract approach: drops may flow upward, shapes can be asymmetrical. I don’t adhere to a strict style; it is this expressiveness and dynamism that make each piece unique. In the process of creation, I work very expressively, sometimes turning the canvas, which adds an additional level of energy to my paintings.
How does your experience as an entrepreneur influence your artistic vision, especially in terms of themes around wealth and business?
My experience in business has played a key role in shaping my perception of art and its economy. I understand how markets and financial systems function, which allows me to delve deeper into themes of wealth and value in my work. I see art as something more than just an aesthetic phenomenon; it is also an economic tool and a means of recognizing social changes.
Through studying the interaction between art and business, I have come to realize that a successful artist must be not only a creator but also a strategist. This knowledge helps me to work with themes that are relevant in the market and to draw attention to my pieces. I hope that my approach will enable other artists to engage more purposefully in discussions about wealth and values in our contemporary society.
As an artist and photographer, you draw inspiration from street life and photorealism. How do you balance these styles with the abstract nature of your paintings?
My work combines elements of street art and photorealism through a continuous exploration of the surrounding world and its nuances. Street life is full of dynamism and diversity, generating a multitude of emotions that I strive to convey in my paintings. Abstraction allows me to express these feelings in a more free and individual form, while photography serves as a source of real narratives and scenes that inspire me.
I am not afraid to mix these styles to create something unique, where each piece becomes not just an image but an emotion, a moment, or a concept that encourages the viewer to reflect and feel. This interaction between reality and abstraction, in my opinion, embodies the true essence of contemporary art.
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