Rata Yonqui | cryptoratist

I came across Rata’s NFTs in 2021, when a friend showed me his The Degenaissance - I got hooked. I love how Rata’s art has intelligent, compelling storylines that pull me in. In his compositions he offers the right amount of information, while also dopes your imagination wanting to know what happens in the next chapter of the story. Curiosity is a big player in Rata’s art. A very gifted storyteller who perfectly defines the web3 spirit - notably his LIT Family collaboration for the A LIT Invitation to Kindness has incredible dynamism and you feel that you are on a quest, aligned within the culture of the space, it’s a revolutionary. Rata’s work has been shown on the big screen at Times Square as part of Cozomo de’ Medici’s collection. Following our first interview on ELUSIVE Magazine in February 2022, back in the bull run, I thought it was time to catch up and get more of the rat(a) protagonist creator.

Dimitria: Some artists romanticize about getting inspiration before they start working on an art project, others just show up to work and something happens along the line. What is your approach when creating art?‍

Rata: Inspiration certainly makes everything easier. You can't rely on random visits from the muse tho. Is even better to have discipline and a creative process. I've been lucky to be very inspired by the space and also motivated by the collectors response. My projects start with research, meaning searching on the Internet images, videos and texts about a topic or meme. Once the idea is clear then I work on the composition with sketches and/or collages. When I am satisfied with the layout of all the elements I refine the details until I have the final artwork. Before publishing I usually make a last revision and colour balance.

Three NFTs from Rata’s Quattrocento NFT series based on renaissance paintings showing hunting dogs and a bull representing the crypto bull market.

Images from left to right from the Quattrocento Lofi series: The Hounds, Monty and Juelz, Breakout

D: I love the adventures of “Dead Rat Pirate”, which seems to be an ongoing series. What can we expect as the series progresses? Will there be any friends or a girlfriend/mermaids appearing, maybe treasures?

R: Certainly. It's an ongoing series and I don't really know what it's gonna happen, only that the adventure just begins. I'm glad you enjoyed it! :)

Gold and Glory

«Then, a tide of rats smashes her hull and their shrieks tears the sky:
― For gold!
― For glory!
Rat fights for what it lacks the most.»

The Adventures of Dead Rat Pirate, Day 1 /noon.

D: You have a variety of different styles when it comes to creating your NFTs, some look very different but I can still recognize that they are done by you. Is recognizability of your work important to you and what would you say makes a Rata NFT?

R: Rats are my way to get recognition among my variety of styles. And not any rats but rata, which is an alter-ego who represents not only the creator but the collectors and frens. I like to keep trying new things, learn from great artists and awesome art, as a way to keep improving and not get bored. I confess to having some difficulties when trying conceptual art but still open and willing to learn. Beyond that, there are probably some features that identify my work but for me it's hard to say, maybe it's my sense of humor or just my own identity expressed somehow subconsciously.

Pirate Rat

D: What is your favourite part about the NFT Community? Do you see any other social media platform (except for Twitter) having an impact on the crypto/NFT community?

R: I do not exist beyond Twitter, unfortunately. I'm waiting for Bluesky to be open to the public. The NFT Community has valued my artwork as I would never have dreamed. I owe them everything. I've been trying all my life to reach an audience who enjoy my work and support it. It's amazing to be here and how fortunate I have been to reach a great audience.

D: How is it creating artworks in a market that many believe has dried out? Is the audience and the hype an important aspect? Also, what is your opinion on popularity?

R: Numbers of views translate into numbers of sales. Makes sense. It's important to reach the right audience but big numbers are nice too. I understand the importance of this and work everyday to increase the popularity of my series. That's my commitment with my collectors and the value of my creations.

Ancient ceremony of rats rekindling the Olympic flame using a skaphia. On an ancient temple there is Salcador Dali’s melting clock that symbolises the lack of meaning and fluidity of time in a dream world. Salvador Dali The Persistence of memory 1931. NFT by Rata.

LIT: Rekindled

D: I love what you have done with the LIT family and the drops - can you tell me how your relationship with LIT started and where is it at the moment?

R: Lit is my fam, my home, my community. Cozomo did the formalities and I found a Legion of awesome Litizens who give me a lot of luv and support. I'll be forever in debt for all the gud time we spend together. I'm no longer active on Discord but always willing to join any event and quest for the Litadel!

Rider holding a flame which symbolizes an invitation to kindness. A project by the LIT family. A project by the LIT family and NFT artist Rata

Rider holding a flame which symbolizes an invitation to kindness. A project by the LIT family ecentralized economics, culture, network state, interoperability and wallet security among others. A project by the LIT family and NFT artist Rata

Comozo de medici, NFT collector, as a Rider holding a flame which symbolizes an invitation to kindness. A project by the LIT family and NFT artist Rata.

A LIT Invitation to Kindness: LIT Rider, Pamp Rider, CdM Rider

LITizens, you were invited to perform an Act of Kindness. You minted two Riders and were asked to gift one to a friend or family member who has no wallet or NFTs.

Friends and family, you were gifted your first NFT by a gracious member of the LIT community and we welcome you to web3. We are at your service.

Let us consider what might be next for both givers and receivers of this Invitation to Kindness.

This is not for profit. This is for culture. Let's ride.

D: With whom would your dream collaboration on a project be if you could choose? Let's initiate it.

R: Matt Furie.

Pepe the frog transforming into a rat. Created by nft artist rata as an hommage to Matt Furie. A love letter to his mentor.

Mementor
A love letter to Matt Furie

D: You have released NFTs on different blockchains.
What elements of a project define which project will be released where?

R: Some ideas are big enough for a new series. Depending on the approach of the series it could be easy to decide the blockchain. For me, Tezos is the perfect place for experimentation and multieditions. For Ethereum I save my most detailed 1of1s. I'd luv to be in as many blockchains as possible but also keep growing my current collections.

The 300 Spartans from the Battle of Thermopylae as 300 HODLERS representing the NFT community, created by NFT artist Rata Yonqui.

THE 300 HODLERS

D: What is your take on the current state of the crypto/NFT space? And what is one thing you would keep and what you would eliminate?

R: Currently I have so much work piled up and am so far behind on my drops that I don't think about anything else. Honestly I've no idea. I have to keep working, things are really great for me and I believe this is just the beginning.