AKACORLEONE - Pattern

Pedro Campiche, artistically known as Akacorleone (born 1985, Lisbon, Portugal), is an illustrator and visual artist whose work has expanded from the Lisbon scene to the global art landscape. His pseudonym, chosen out of a fascination with organized-crime cinema (The Godfather) originated as a graffiti tag intended to command respect. Graffiti became his gateway into artistic practice, which he initially perceived as an act of rebellion. He graduated in Design and Visual Communication in 2007 and worked as a graphic designer before fully dedicating himself to freelance illustration and his artistic practice, exhibiting regularly since 2010.

His style is immediately recognizable through a distinctive manipulation of color, typography, and form, combined in visually striking compositions marked by originality and sharp humor. His work is often described as an extension of Pop Art into contemporary art, citing Keith Haring as a major influence, particularly in their shared commitment to addressing social issues through visual language. Akacorleone is not confined to a single medium or format; he is especially known for sculptural works and installations that engage directly with the viewer, employing a wide range of materials such as plexiglass, paint, spray cans, wood, and found objects.

In Portugal, notable interventions include Equality (2020) at the Panoramic Restaurant of Monsanto in Lisbon, where, drawing inspiration from the visual language of religious stained glass, he addressed themes of gender and racial equality. Other projects include Balance (Lisbon, 2019), Obrigado (Caldas da Rainha, 2020), and the painting of the Cascais train station and carriage. Internationally, his influence is reflected in works such as Ramakien in Bangkok, Thailand (2013), and Metropolis in Manila, Philippines (2015).