Kai “Raws” Imhof was born in 1990, in Königs Wusterhausen, Germany and raised in Berlin. His artistic career started in 2004 when he was painting the streets as a classic graffiti writer. During his early years as a sprayer, he painted illegal bombings and tags on walls in his neighborhood. Due to clashes with the police, he decided (around 2008) to deal with the aesthetic side of graffiti writing. By painting high-quality colorful pieces, over the years he became a famous artist in the international graffiti scene.
Your roots lie in street art. What was your path into the art world like – and what eventually drew you towards contemporary art?
In fact, my first steps into creativity came through classic graffiti on the streets of Berlin. As a teenager, I was initially out at night painting illegally, but after a few run-ins with the law, I quickly shifted my focus to legally painting walls. During that time, I improved rapidly and managed to gain a certain level of recognition within the scene, which allowed me to take part in urban art events internationally.
After more than 15 years of doing graffiti, simply painting letters was no longer enough for me. Around the same time, I also began training as a graphic designer, and a more abstract approach started to find its way into my work. Artists like Pablo Picasso, Kandinsky and Rothko inspired me to push boundaries and gave me the courage to eventually paint in a fully abstract style.
Who or what is a key source of inspiration in your artistic practice?Are there recurring themes or impulses that characterise your work?
You live and work in Köpenick, on the outskirts of Berlin. What does this place mean for your creative process – and in what ways does it shape your artistic perspective?
Back then, I was active all over Berlin as a graffiti artist, but these days I’m grateful to have my studio in the peaceful district of Köpenick. The older I get, the more I need space, calm and a sense of ease in order to truly be creative. Köpenick, with all its lakes, forests and yet still quick access to the city centre, is the perfect place for me. I can’t say for sure whether this has a direct influence on my work—but perhaps, years from now, it will be possible to see it in retrospect.
We're delighted to be presenting your work at this year’s Affordable Art Fair at Arena Berlin from 13 to 15 June. What does taking part in this fair mean to you – and what can visitors expect from your work?
Art fairs are always a great opportunity to gain visibility. Of course, these days we have tools like Instagram and similar platforms to share our work with a wider audience, but for me, physical presentation remains incredibly important. The true signature of an artist and the unfiltered impact of the artwork can only really be conveyed in the real world.
A fair also offers the chance to connect with new collectors and expand one’s network. The works on display will be typically 'Raws'—pieces from the past three years alongside very recent ones, offering a well-rounded insight into my creative output.
How important is dialogue with other artists and the public to you? What role does exchange play in the development of your practice?
Exchange and dialogue are very important to me. I always appreciate questions and feedback. Especially in abstract art, I believe it can be helpful to engage directly with the artist in order to fully understand and contextualise the work. Of course, a viewer might simply like or dislike a piece—and that's perfectly valid—but I think the conceptual layer can often be better understood through conversation.
I'm also deeply interested in the perspectives of other artists. Sometimes, their views can be truly inspiring.
What’s coming up next for you? Is there a project, idea or new theme that’s currently occupying your thoughts?
There’s a lot coming up in 2025—large-scale murals, exhibitions, collaborations with major brands, and other projects waiting to be realised. Artistically, I want to continue exploring my 'CHAOS' aesthetic and keep pushing to find new paths and approaches.
I’m also keen to work more with installations, in order to further explore the themes of space and visual depth.
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