If you’re familiar with Ringelstetter’s work you may have seen the tag “TANK33” in some of his pieces. In fact, it’s stamped on every piece from this line of work, which is three-dimensional in three different ways, and represents the different planes of life; the physical, mental, and spiritual/energetic.
“Tank” is what Ringelstetter considers to be somewhat of an otherworldly alter ego. For years Tank has been showing Ringelstetter visions, and has inspired every piece of his work. Tank introduced the “Forbidden Effect” via a lucid dream, and continued to leave clues for Ringelstetter along the journey of the “Forbidden Zone’s” creation. For instance, the room it was created in had a name carved above the door, “Ms. Tank”.
Whether you consider “Tank” to be a muse or a fever dream, without this influence Ringelstetter wouldn’t be where he is today. For years Tank has been telling our artist to hustle until he reached 33 years of age, at that point his “mission” would be completed. Now at the age of 34, Ringelstetter feels he no longer has to be “Nick Ringelstetter, the Painter” but instead he can be whoever he wants to be and purse whatever he feels is right.
Darienne Keniece