It Was All A Dream
Photo Creds: Raf Santaella, a.k.a. “5iveFingaz”
I met Raf when I was a student at Sacred Heart University (we won't say how long ago). We were both in art classes together. He is just the kind of guy that exudes goodness and positivity. His crazy curls flow wildly atop his head while his smile and laughter light up a room instantly. From the moment I met Raf, I knew he was someone that I wanted to have in my circle. And somehow, even decades later, life has made sure that we stay connected one way or another.
Little Raf’s story starts in Kindergarten, drawing on desks and getting lost in the little worlds he’d create. He would record his favorite TV shows like Transformers, paused it at the right moments, placed a piece of paper on the TV screen and traced Optimus Prime to learn the artist’s shadowing and movement. As he got older he started taking those learnings to create his own characters and trading his sketches for snacks at school. As time went on, Raf started getting more and more into street art. His cousin would constantly be sketching his ideas in his black book— a tool many street artists use to capture their ideas. In fact, he taught Raf how to do his first set of bubble letters. Raf
carefully observed local artists, eventually jumping the train into New York in order to watch and learn from others in the Bronx and Brooklyn. It wasn’t until he got introduced to Andy Warhol, Basquiat, and Keith Haring through these circles that he truly started figuring out what his own visual language was.
Suddenly at the age of 21, Raf faced one of the biggest crossroads of his life. He found out he was going to be a Dad. He knew staying local was the right thing to do for him and his daughter. Life after college led him to work at advertising agencies, where he hunkered down—but his heart was never fully in it. He wasn’t living his truth. So, in 2014, Raf took that life-altering leap of faith. CocoRosie, two sisters making music together since 2003, music that can only be described as a mix of pop, blues, opera, electronica and hip hop, had drawn Rafs attention. Their mysterious, unique sound spoke to his soul and he decided to pay tribute to them with a portrait of the siblings at one of their shows. Nervously, Raf hopped on a train, dropped off the huge canvas at their show, and….walked away. The next morning, he realized the hashtag he had signed his canvas with (#mygalleryisoutside) was trending. People who saw it at the concert, including CocoRosie were looking for him to meet him and thank him. It was a monumental moment that catapulted Raf’s purpose: to spread love and positivity throughout the world. In 2015 he put on his first art show in which he gave away all 50 pieces. He incorporated uplifting sayings he had heard along his travels, having jotted them down in, now, his own black book.. This is what he was meant to do.
You may have seen his messages of love and acceptance around Norwalk and Fairfield. STOKED proudly showcases “LOVE MORE” spray painted—beautifully I might add—on their window coverings. Natural Pet Outlet reached out to him this year to create a custom art piece on their side wall to celebrate their ten year anniversary. The colorful mural features different breeds of dogs and cats surrounding a message reading “LOVE IS LOVE”. But what Raf has gained notoriety for in the art realm is a movement he began while living and working in Chicago a few years back. Some friends had notified him that there were white supremacy posters spotted in his hometown of Norwalk. Raf was compelled to drive change the only way he knew how: through art. He took a moment to figure out his message which is now known by a global community: “LOVE MORE THAN EVER™”.
What started as a message scribbled on a canvas or pieces of paper, has made Raf, or 5iveFingaz as he is known through the art world, a voice of truth and empowerment.
““This is it. Love More Than Ever is who I am . It is always what I’ve believed but couldn’t put into words. It’s the positivity of uplifting everyone that I meet. A reminder to live in the light, even if it’s born from a moment of darkness.””
“Love is Love” mural that Raf painted on the side of Natural Pet Outlet for their 10th Anniversary. Natural Pet Outlet owner, Ray Arabia, pictured above next to the mural.
One of Raf’s passions is bringing this message to children. He has gone to numerous schools and inner cities to speak at assemblies, sharing his life story, his challenges and struggles, in hopes to inspire feelings of self worth, connection, friendship, acceptance, and gratitude.
Where will life take Raf next? On November 13 through 21 in his hometown of Norwalk, 5iveFingaz will be putting on his first solo art show in years entitled “It Was All A Dream” where he will be showcasing large scale artwork unlike anything he’s done before.
Warehouse location details will be shared soon, so follow @5iveFingaz on Instagram or Tik Tok to stay in the loop! It’s an event not to be missed.
For more, visit:
lovemorethanever.com