“Look at the world with the innocence of a child.”

We're back with our second issue of AMBITION. This month, we had the pleasure of speaking with Robi Walters, a renowned London-based artist who transforms discarded materials into mesmerising works of art. He's known for his truly one-of-a-kind creations, works alongside some of the UK's most recognisable brands and is Aston Martin's Artist-in-Residence. Robi shares how adversity can fuel one's ambition and how commitment can actually be the biggest risk of all.

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Where does your ambition come from?

My ambition comes from a very deep place inside me. When I was young, life was shit - really shit - and I didn't want to live like that when I grew up. I never really understood the word adversity until I was much older. Adversity can really be a blessing if you lean into it and push yourself into a much brighter future. I once heard that if you are not working to your plan, you are working to someone else’s. This to me has a close alliance to ambition. I'm always asking the question, “what do I want for myself and for my family,” and constantly adjusting myself accordingly. I consider ambition to be a work in progress - not a destination - but I'm certainly enjoying the journey.

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With your art, you quite literally make something out of nothing (abandoned and discarded materials). What would you say to the person who is oozing with ambition but finds themselves with little-to-no resources? 

When I first started making art, I had no money and no resources. I had been thinking a lot about consumerism, consumption and sustainability when I saw my overflowing recycling bin. So, I dove into that for materials. We are literally swimming in resources - they’re everywhere around us. Look at the world with the innocence of a child. If you look carefully, there are so many things that humans throw away that I believe still have immense value. Seeing the material in a new way and adding some creativity to it can make it look beautiful again. I don't think the beauty is within the material, it's in the person that looks at it. You can only see what is inside you.

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Which would you say has had more influence on your success, nature or nurture?

Nature and nurture are interesting subjects for me. Personally, I believe it's a combination of both. Depending on time and place, it may be a little bit more of one or the other -  it's not a simple 50-50. I was in the right place, at the right time, and at the right age to be influenced by graffiti as it exploded. Some friends were interested in music and others dancing, as the hip-hop culture influenced the youth of its time. Graffiti at the time wasn’t given a very good name, nor was it recognised as a true art. Society also influenced me to turn to graphic design, but then my inner calling and ‘nature’ led me back to being an artist! As I grow older, I don't want to waste my time. I really want to listen to and trust my inner voice, which will help guide me to be who I really am.

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As an artist, what’s the biggest risk you’ve taken and what did you learn from it?

For me, the biggest risk was committing to being an artist and leaving all my other work behind. This came late in life and at a time when everything was changing, so it was quite unsettling. From this, what I've learnt is that the world responds to the things that you refuse to let go of - the things you keep working at every day. At first, it may seem difficult and challenging. Even your friends and family might not agree with you, but with perseverance, somehow the tide turns and support follows your determination. The lesson that I have taken from this is that there is something special in each of us, and we can either follow that path or not. There really is nothing to lose, so why not go for it!

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Artists often have a hard time commercialising their work. How have you been able to create such powerful partnerships with prestigious brands like Aston Martin?

To attract attractive things, you must first become attractive. My relationship with Aston Martin started with an introduction from a friend. But I truly believe when you are on your path and following your passion, passionate things start to follow you. Successful people like sports stars, musicians, etc. are no longer chasing opportunities - opportunities are chasing them. I believe the tide turns towards you when you take risks, eliminate distraction and truly follow your inner calling.

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Most artists don’t succeed, and many don’t gain proper recognition until their time has passed. What kept you going when success wasn’t certain?

Death and taxes are the only certainties. It's taken me a very long time to work out that we are all making this up as we go along. In a funny way, I have always felt I would be successful even when I was young. I like to go beyond the call of comfort because that’s where I discover the treasure. Another inspiration that keeps me going is that I don't want to work for anyone else. I like to realise an environment that is creative and fun for both myself and others. I'm not sure what other people think about life after death, but I believe if I give everything that I've got in this lifetime, it will serve me well in my next life.

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What's the single best piece of advice you have ever received?

I went to a Spurs football game with my friend and mentor Mark. We had dinner there and sat in the Director's box next to the owner of the club. I asked him how many people were on the waiting list for season tickets and he told me that there were about 30,000 people. I thought, “wow that's a lot of people waiting.” I looked around the Director's box and all the seats were full. I thought to myself, “these seats must never come up, how did Mark get his?” I turned to him and asked,  “how did you get this seat?” He turned to me and replied “Because I wanted it Robi.” This was like a bell going off inside my head, with the realisation that if you want something, you go and get it and don’t let anything get in your way. He never said if the journey was easy or hard - he just said he wanted it.

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What words of wisdom would you give to your younger self?

What an incredible thing to be able to speak to your younger self, but how would that change the course of history? If I were able to advise my younger self, I would tell myself to go for it no matter how funny, how silly, how little, how big it was. Do not hesitate, act. Trust in yourself and not others projections of you. Create and mould what you want to be in this world and make a difference! Help and think of others.

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What has been the single most transformative habit you’ve adopted?

This is a great question because I have formed many habits that have served me well. The single most important habit that I have adopted is meditating every single morning for the last 21 years. Meditating helps create an electromagnetic field that surrounds us, keeping us balanced and protected throughout the day. This keeps us focused, on our path, and protects us from distractions and other energetic fields trying to knock you off your path. One of the benefits meditating is learning the art of breathing. Focusing your breath helps you focus your attention on the things that you want to manifest. Once you learn how to manifest, the more often and frequently it happens.

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How do you protect your self-esteem from the constant noise of art critics and public opinion?

I used to work with a designer called Ian Swift - ‘Swifty’ -  he was my favourite designer when I was at college. He used to work with Neville Brody who was one of the best designers of his time. Swifty once told me that Neville had read an article that had been written about him, which really took a toll on his self-esteem. Swifty told me that he didn't read anything that was written about him and warned me to do the same. I rarely ever read what people write about me. I'm sure most of it would be good, but it is someone else's opinion and I don't want that to be the filter in which I see myself. Personally, I think it's really important to protect yourself from other people's projections.

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If you were handed a microphone and the whole world was listening, what would you say?

I would say to the entire world exactly what I say to the school kids (aged 7 to 11) that I do workshops with. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, place your attention on your breathing and be present.

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Where will Robi Walters’ ambition take him next?

I am a very ambitious and driven person. One of the most exciting things for me is the unknown. That aside, I've been working on scaling my art work up; really challenging myself and making some of my biggest pieces to date. This is both an incredible inner and outer journey. I have also started a podcast where I'm talking to friends who are successful in their respective fields. These have been insightful conversations that I am now turning into animations, of which my son has created the first. I have been working on my website and web shop so that I can sell my work directly online. I'm also part of a collective that is building a brand called Windrush - a lifestyle company - and our first launch will be an incredible rum. I have also started to make some NFT art which has turned into a new passion. The thing that really keeps me going is to keep learning and constantly adjusting. Creating and sharing has always been at my core.