Artist Statement

A significant influence on his artistic development has been Paris, where his sister is a permanent resident. Since his teenage years, he has visited the city frequently and has been inspired by its dynamic energy, visual culture, and contemporary art scene. In parallel, he draws inspiration from urban culture and collective street energy — symbols, banners, repetition, and powerful imagery that become part of a contemporary visual language. Japan is also a central element in his work. Over the past fifteen years, he has been immersed daily in Japanese culture through running a Japanese cuisine space, developing a deeper connection with Japanese aesthetics and philosophy. His artistic name, Valentinos Ben, is derived from Benzaiten, one of the Seven Lucky Gods in Japanese Buddhism and the goddess of art, music, speech, and water — everything associated with flow. This symbolism reflects his creative path as a continuous movement between cultures, ideas, and techniques.

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