Riccardo Nannini aka Cane comes from a working-class family in Toscana. Growing up in his grandparents' countryside, he was also addicted to drugs. In the turbulent Italian society of the 1990s (corruption, debt, high crime rates), Riccardo was a teenager who expressed his thoughts through surreal and rebellious comics. His creative journey began in 2014, and he presented his first exhibition under the pseudonym Cane with the title "Between Egypt and Indonesia." The nickname Cane (Sugarcane) shares a similarity with the ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes (in Italian, "cane" means "dog"). Intrigued by anthropology, much of his work draws inspiration from social issues such as migration and race. Influenced by Italian comic masters Andrea Pazienza and Benito Jacovitti, as well as Flemish painters Bosch and Bruegel the Elder, Cane's creations embody a popular surrealistic style. His artworks often feature elements like green aliens and people from diverse cultures, constructing magical and realistic open-ended narratives. Cane's creations invite various interpretations, and his artistic medium extends beyond canvases, as his graffiti can be found on the streets of Europe. He is an artist deeply rooted in street art and contemporary culture, bringing a strong foundation of street art to his work.
Riccardo Nannini a.k.a. Cane
Cupcake, old telephone and a Koons sculpture 紙杯蛋糕、舊電話和昆斯雕塑, 2021
Acrylic on canvas
60 x 90 cm (23.62 x 35.43 in)
About the artist
Riccardo Nannini a.k.a. Cane
Italy
b. 1980
