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    Artist Retrospective: JR

    French artist JR has the largest art gallery in the world. Thanks to his photographic collage technique, he exhibits his work free of charge on the walls of the whole world – attracting the attention of those who do not usually go to museums.Currently, his most common method to create street art is through the use of wheat pasting and gigantic mono photographs. He often gets his subject models faces with a 28mm wide-angle lens which result in portraits that unguarded, funny, soulful, real, and that capture the spirits of individuals who normally go unseen. His work of art brings forward common everyday materials to the light.Mural In New York City, USA, 2012These blown-up images are then pasted on urban surfaces such as the sides of buildings, bridges, rooftops, and even trains. Not only do they confront the public audience, but they also help engage audiences where they least expect it. Often introducing those who are unfortunate in the world to the remaining population in the world. JR combines powerful social statements through large murals and installations.Check out below to view more of our compilation on JR’s best works.New York City, USA, 2016JR featured a picture of Lauren Lovette from the New York City ballet on this piece from 2016. The French artist created this beautiful artwork showing the famous dancer in motion against a background composed by a monochromatic building.JR have worked with New York City Ballet last 2014. He used the language of dance to tell his version of the riots in the Clichy-Montfermeil district. He created The Groves, a ballet and short film, the music for which was composed by Woodkid, Hans Zimmer and Pharrell Williams, and which was presented at the Tribeca Film Festival.Mural in Los Angeles, California, 2019This mural is a gigantic collaboration with JR for Branded Arts Maya Angelou Mural Festival which happened in Los Angeles, California. As part of JR’s Inside Out Project 2019, the French artist create a large installation with hundreds of portraits that were taken at the school.Sculpture Installation in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, 2016In anticipation of the Olympic Games 2016 opening this weekend in Rio De Janeiro, JR unveiled a series of giant installations featuring notable athletes.Sculpture Installation in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, 2016Mural in Tokyo, Japan, 2013 in the event of his exhibition entitled “Could Art Change The World?” at The Watari Museum of Contemporary ArtMural in New York City, USA, 2012Mural in Berlin, Germany, 2013“The Chronicles of New York” in New York City, USA, 2020This mural is a part of a series he has made cross Brooklyn in connection with his Brooklyn Museum exhibition, JR: Chronicles last 2020. For this mural, titled “The Chronicles of New York”, he photographed over 1,000 New York residents and reproduced them at a monumental scale on the side of stacked shipping containers in Domino Park, adding to the stunning views of the Williamsburg Bridge and the Manhattan skyline.Mural at The National Library of France in ParisCheck out our #JR page for more stunning works from talented artist! More

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    Artist Retrospective: Franco Fasoli aka JAZ

    Born into a family of artists, Franco Fasoli is one of the first urban artists to practice in Buenos Aires in the 90s under the name JAZ. He quickly evolves towards muralism, evolving towards a stylized figurative style. Today he is one of the best known and most talented artists on the Argentinian scene.One of the main features of his latest work is the exploration of different scales and materials for his pieces. From large-format paintings in public spaces to small works on bronze or paper, the fluctuation of contexts and resources has been the fuel of his art. The tension between the global, dominant culture, and the sub-cultures as a space of resistance, has been the subject of study in his work, both at the conceptual level and in his actions throughout his career.Mural in Barcelona, Spain, 2021Tigers, wildcats, and animal-human hybrids make frequent appearances in the graffiti, murals, paintings, sculptures, and collages of Franco Fasoli. The combats of zoomorphic characters in his works usually question the themes of the quest for identity and social divide.The artist over the years has exhibited in numerous countries worldwide, as he participates to international festivals and constantly works towards the productions of mural interventions.Check out below some of our favorite works from JAZ.“The Rapture” in Madrid, Spain, 2015On “The Rapture” JAZ ttok a break from his current style inspired by the sharp collage works, the images depict majestic Minotaur carrying and grasping the muscly horse. Using minimal color palette consisting of dark brown and black, the pieces look like blown up chalk drawings on a blank white paper. With these works the artist is commenting on the aggressive and survival lifestyle of modern world while using an icon of Spanish culture that is the bull.In his own words “Painting murals was alway my best way to communicate with people, explore the B sides of the cities and become a little part of them. It’s like a sport, a social exercise, a gift.”Mural in Berlin, Germany, 2014“Eat This” in Cozumel, Mexico, 2015JAZ has completed his giant mural for SeaWalls and PangeaSeed which just took place on the streets of the island of Cozumel in Mexico. The SeaWalls Street Art festival aim is to help saving Mexico’s Oceans and Endangered Marine Life, One Public Mural at a Time. The Argentinean muralist super impressive and vibrant piece warns us against harvesting sharks fins for soup.Mural by JAZ in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2014Mural by JAZ in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2014With this mural in Buenos Aires, JAZ teamed up with Pastel in their home town of Buenos Aires and created this double piece.Using different color palette for each of the images, they created these two piece that look like a mirrored image at a first glance. With Jaz’ signature anthropomorphic characters, juxtapozed with Pastel’s floral imagery, the piece has a strong contrast effect. Both color wise between two pieces, but also with easy, calming feel of the flowers and plants, against aggressive looking characters depicting football hooligans.Mural in Villa Soriano, Uruguay, 2013Mural in Cape Town, South Africa, 2013JAZ worked on a mural in Cape Town for the excellent Acrylic Walls Project last 2013. Through blending unconventional materials such as bitumen (asphaltic paint and petrol), he always delivers a huge mural that resemble a delicate watercolor.Mural in Barcelona, Spain, 2015Mural in Montreal, Canada, 2015Mural in Kyiv, UkraineMake sure to check out and follow our #FrancoFasoli page for more updates on the talented artist! More

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    Artist Retrospective: Kobra

    Brazilian street artist Eduardo Kobra has become one of the most recognizable and prominent muralists of our time. Kobra is known for utilizing bold kaleidoscopic colors and bold geometric compositions to complete large-scale portraits.As an artist, Kobra draws inspiration both from society and human beings as individuals; in particular, human behavior. Protesting such topics as the mistreatment of animals, war, and poverty, it is important that each work of art communicates a message of peace.“Genial Is Riding a Bike” in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 2015Historical figures and musical masterminds continue to be Eduardo Kobra’s favorite subjects. He has done portraits of Tupac Shakur, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Notorious B.I.G., Ray Charles, Kurt Cobain, and Jim Morrison. Albert Einstein, Basquiat, Abraham Lincoln, the Dalai Lama, Andy Warhol, and Anne Frank  are just a few of the others who Kobra has honored on walls.“Etnias” in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, 2016With works on five continents, he currently holds the record for the largest graffiti mural in the world. The mural is painted on a vast 190-metre-long wall in the city’s formerly run-down port area, Praça Mauá, measuring almost 3,000 square metres. The mural is entitled “etnias” or “ethnicities” in English and used approximately 100 gallons of white paint, 1,500 litres of coloured paint, and at least 3,500 cans of spray paint.Scroll down below to view our selection of Kobra’s best works over the years.Mural in World Trade Center Campus, New York, 2021Mural in World Trade Center Campus, New York, 2021“Let Me Be Myself” in Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2016Using his signature kaleidoscope-like style, Kobra worked several days to create this huge and beautiful portrait of Anna Frank, a German-born diarist and writer.“Fight For Street Art” featuring Basquiat and Warhol in New York City, USA, 2014“The Bedouin” in Dubai, UAE, 2015Brazilian street artist painted this 26 meters high by 11 meters wide building which is now featuring one of signature kaleidoscopic portraits. The Bedouin are an Arab ethnocultural group, descended from nomads who have historically inhabited the Arabian and Syrian Deserts.Portrait of Alfred Nobel for in Sweden, 2014“Arthur Rubinstein” in Lodz, Poland, 2014The Brazilian artist painted this tribute to Arthur Rubinstein using his signature style. Arthur Rubinstein, KBE was a Polish American classical pianist. He received international acclaim for his performances of the music written by a variety of composers and many regard him as the greatest Chopin interpreter of his time.Portrait of Polynesian women in Papeete, Tahiti, 2015Portrait of Vivian Maier In Chicago, USA, 2017Portrait of Albert Einstein in Los Angeles, USA, 2013The painting is located on La Brea Avenue, at the same location where he had previously painted the Mount Rushmore piece back in 2012. Kobra traveled to North America after being invited by Mr. Brainwash, the polemic french street artist who was the protagonist of Banksy’s documentary “Exit through the gift shop”.The artwork, which is 82 ft height and 26 ft width, shows a contemplative portrait of Albert Einstein through the colourful visual language of Kobra, which comprises a mixture of colours and geometric forms along with an hyper realistic feel.For more stunning works from talented muralist, check out our #Kobra page! More

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    Artist Retrospective: Phlegm

    Phlegm is a British muralist and artist who draws his environment into the narrative. He first developed his illustrations in self-published comics, and he still creates books of ink drawings.One can say that the only difference between his comics and his murals is the working space; the size and surface where he places his artwork. His art style is highly unique and recognizable making him the most adored street artist. The artist’s work is striking and it will not leave anyone ambiguous. His works are mostly featured in the urban landscape, and run-down spaces. His surreal illustrations tell a story untold, as his imaginative creatures explore the visual narrative.Mural in Isle of Wight, United Kingdom, 2018Besides his outstanding mural artwork on buildings, old factories, urban spaces and art festivals he has painted on various objects like airplanes, boats, and vehicles. What makes him so unique is the way he sees street art. He believes his murals become part of the cities’ architecture being influenced by the surrounding, which is a wonderful way on how to see art.“Time To Scream And Shout” in Reykjavik, Iceland, 2016“Time To Scream And Shout” – Phlegm painted a myriad of his iconic characters undertaking various actions using a bunch of different objects. As usual with Phlegm, his world is populated with fantasy-like stories and artifacts.Mural in Toronto, Canada, 2016Elegant and complex in shape of a human form, the mural is a metaphor for the living, breathing nature of the city and emergence of soon-to-be-revived Yonge and St. Clair. Set to undergo an explosion of rapid change, the transformed area will see unified public realm improvements, architectural facelifts of the intersection’s buildings, new retail and engaging public signage. Inspired by the communities that make up the neighbourhood, the design was informed by a series of community consultations.Mural in Cozumel, Mexico for SeaWalls 2015Mural in Cardiff, Wales for Empty Walls Festival 2014Mural in Melbourne, Australia, 2017This mural was commissioned by the Chapel Street Precinct Association as part of the PROVOCARÉ Festival Of The Arts. John Lotton from CSPA spent two and half years planning this project, choosing the right artist, and locating the right wall for a large mural with a vision to become a landmark piece of public art for the area and add to the social fabric of the precinct.Mural in Manchester, United Kingdom for Cities of Hope Festival 2016“The Forest” Project in Epping Forest, United Kingdom, 2015Mural in Ostend, Belgium for The Crystal Ship Festival 2017“Giant Moa” in Dunedin, New Zealand, 2016Mural in San Diego, California for PangeaSeed 2014With the focus of their activity being raising public awareness and education about the conservation and preservation of sharks and other marine species, Sheffield born artist created a mural that covers the subject. In his signature, illustrative style, using minimalist black and white palette, he created this mechanic shark with his iconic characters powering the weird creation. The image can be seen as a warning of what could our future look like if we don’t stop the shark fin market and start taking better care about marine life in general.Mural in Moss, Norway, 2014For more updates on the British muralist, check out our #Phlegm page! More

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    Artist Retrospective: Blu

    BLU is a talented street artist from Bologna, Italy. He has been active in street style scene since 1999. Blu began painting graffiti with spray paint. He quickly gained recognition and fame by painting a graffiti series in the suburbs of Bologna. When he started painting walls he worked with spray paint, but as his appetite for beautifying industrial sites grew, so did his tools.Over the next few years into the early 2000s, Blu’s graffiti style transformed thanks to his growing use of house paint. He makes massive murals all over the world. In doing what he loves, BLU tries as much as possible, to emphasize the message he’s sending. Art is important, not recognition.A name is nothing in comparison to the artistic value of a painted wall. Many of his murals were never signed, many of them were destroyed by the artist himself, but his integrity is incorruptible. He believes in freedom of information and stands firmly on his system of open source belief“La Pandemia” in Campobasso, Italy, 2020“La Pandemia” depicts a dystopian scenario of giant pandas that invade a city and destroy everything. It is located on the façade of the Alphaville cinema. “La Pandemia” was made in collaboration with Draw The Line 2020, a street art festival in Italy organized by Malatesta Associati.Mural in Quarticciolo, Rome, 2019Mural in La Punta, Valencia, Spain, 2018La Punta is a pedestrian garden located in the south of the city of Valencia, where, for more than 15 years, the port of Valencia sealed one of the darkest chapters in the history of the destruction of the Valencia district with the deportation of a hundred families, depriving them of their way of life and sweeping through fields and houses, to give the port an enormous development land.The Italian artist brought to life another of his signature artworks to life. The piece shows containers being built as a pyramid by local families from La Punta. Another striking work by Blu which shows the power of Urban Art.“No TAV” in Susa, Italy, 2016“La Cuccagna” in Campobasso, Italy, 2017“La Cuccagna”, this title of the work shows Blu creating one of his personal criticism of our society and our modern life system. BLU proposes a strong representation of the systems that move modern society which are triggering an incredible narrative sequence, full of problems and different issues hidden within every layer.Mural in Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2016Mural in Via Del Porto Fluviale, Rome, Italy, 2014The Italian artist painted this largest and one of his most complex pieces with this majestic mural showing a series of heads. As usual with the Italian artist, the piece is filled with a million of details and tiny characters which can only be appreciated in the flesh.Mural in Mexico, 2015Mural in Casa Dei Pazzi in Rome, Italy, 2015Mural in Porto Torres, Italy, 2016The mural on Porto Torres shows a large head breaking away as a puzzle and morphing into human forms. The pieces are falling back into place which gives a glimpse of hope with a potential unity that can be achieved for the human race.“A House For Everyone” in Bergamo, Italy, 2016For more updates on the talented Italian artist, make sure to check out and follow our #BLU page! More

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    Artist Retrospective: The London Police

    The London Police is an art collaboration between Chaz Barrisson and Bob Gibson that started in 1998 when the artists visited Amsterdam to rejuvenate the visually disappointing streets of the drug capital of the world. The artists display an art in illustrative and innovative expression.They were part of a small group of artists at the end of the last century that helped pioneer a new street art movement. After a few years of mixing traveling and making art in the street, TLP began to receive worldwide recognition for their contribution to the graffiti/street art movement. They were included in many of the books documenting the scene and invited for shows and live drawing performances all over the globe. Their work has adorned buildings and galleries in more than 35 countries, like England, Holand, Singapore, Italy, Norway, Slovakia, USA, among others.Mural in Odintsovo, Russia for Urban Morphogenesis, 2019The duo combine styles on every piece they produce, often mixing in a tall portion of antics and mock-seriousness along the way. In these playful fantasy cityscapes ‘the Lads (the circular characters)’ are constructed and move around freely, in turn helping to build further elements of the city. The London Police creates a place full of interaction between their circle and line paintings.Scroll down below to view more of The London Police’s best works through out the years.“Fish Eat Fish” in Cozumel, Mexico, 2015In 2015, The London Police collaborated with Tristan Eaton for the excellent SeaWalls: Murals For Oceans. The team spent about five days to create this impressive piece which is featuring each artist’s distinctive style and technique. A monochromatic layering for Tristan Eaton combined with a bunch of signature characters from The London Police.“900 Dogs by a Chocolate Factory” in Germany, 2018The collective from Amsterdam created a work in Germany which in the background we see a detailed city panorama. This element is kept in a turquoise-blue combination separated by a purple line. In the center of the mural appear the LADS, i.e. three smiling dogs in black and white, a signature element from the artists’ works.Mural in Houston, Texas for Hue Mural Festival, 2015Mural in Berlin, Germany for Urban Nation ONE WALLIndoor Mural for Goodbye Monopol 2 Festival in Luxembourg, 2013Mural in Covington, USA, 2013Mural in Covington, USA, 2013For more updates on the artistic duo, check out our #TheLondonPolice page! More

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    Artist Retrospective: INTI

    A visual artist and muralist born in Valparaíso, Chile, INTI creates artworks surly carries out not more than the meaning, he also transmits the warm colours of it. Painting on canvasses, creating sculptures or large murals, his artwork addresses birthplace of the Latin American culture, multiplying it on a global level.INTI, whose name means the Incan sun god and the Quechua word for ‘the Sun’, gives a special orange/sun glow in his works, which has become his Moniker of sorts, INTI’s style is not only unique and outstanding but thoughtful and calm; the combination of bright Latin colours and the Ancient South American culture is stunning.Take a look below for a selection of INTI’s stunning works across the globe.“La Madre Secular 2” in Paris, France, 2016“La Madre Secular” is a series by INTI, it is a representation of the Madonna, where the sacred remains outside the religious context, and stands as something possible without breaking the laws of nature.Through the iconic composition, with symbols linked to nature and science, this Madonna replaces the apple from the biblical tale for Newton’s apple, as an allegory to the era of knowledge and skepticism.“Random” in Jishou, China, 2016“El TAMARUGO” in Chile, 2021The mural features a Tamarugo tree which is a native species from the north of Chile, which manages to survive in one of the most arid places on the planet, Atacama Desert. The ability of this species to survive has been vital to the communities that inhabit these places since ancient times, and a symbol of life and resistance to the devastation of resources caused by mega-mining in these lands.INTI creates artworks surly carries out not more than the meaning, he also transmits the warm colours of it. Painting on canvasses, creating sculptures or large murals, his artwork addresses birthplace of the Latin American culture, multiplying it on a global level.Mural in Cali, Colombia, 2014“Soleil” in Lyon, France, 1019“A Pale Blue Dot” in Grenoble, France, 2020“A Pale Blue Dot” features a woman embodying the universe with a small dot in her hands that represents the Earth. This mural was made as part of the Grenoble Street Art Fest. Together with the artwork, INTI left us with a quote from Carl Sagan. “Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves”“Exodus” in Rabat, Morocco, 2015Mural in San Antoni, Ibiza, Spain,2014Mural in Santiago, Chile, 2014“Polvere di Stelle” in Naples, Italy, 2020For more updates on the talented Chilean artist, make sure to check out our #INTI page! More

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    Artist Retrospective: Pøbel

    Pøbel (meaning hooligan) is a pseudonymous Norwegian street artist based in Stavanger. He is best known for the Getto spedalsk (Ghetto leperous) project, decorating abandoned buildings in at the Lofoten islands in the north of Norway, along with notable collaborator “Dolk“.Being fascinated by the graffiti and street art movement that happened in the bigger cities, he was inspired to take this urban culture and place it in the middle of nowhere.. turning it into a strange kind of Norwegian “wild” style.“The Lovers” in Bryne, Norway, 2020Mural in Vardø, Norway, 2012Mural by Pøbel and Dolk Lofoten, Islands, Norway, 2015Norwegian artists, Pøbel and Dolk organised the “Getto Spedalsk” (“Ghetto Leper”) urban art project to draw attention to the depopulation and decay occurring in rural Norway, specifically on the remote Lofoten Islands, 95 miles north of the Arctic Circle.Over the next few years, they worked on murals on abandoned barns throughout the islands. The pieces tend to be somewhat lighthearted like Julie Andrews singing and Batman being pushed in his wheelchair by Robin.“Home” in Teriberka, Russia, 2018“家” (“Home”), is Pøbel’s piece in Teriberka. More than 100 people in Teriberka have been forced to move from their homes. This is one of many beautiful buildings scheduled for demolition this year. This makes way for development in tourism, and these vacant houses will give way to tourist infastructure, mainly for northern lights tourists from China. This piece by Pøbel encourages people to discuss these issues.Mural in Horsens, Denmark, 2013Mural in Bryne, Norway, 2015“Trump Muted” in Hollywood, Boulevard, 2016Pøbel, dressed in black and geared with a pizza box,  quickly drop a stenciled muted sign over Donald Trump’s name back in 2016 in Hollywood.Mural in Nordland County, Norway For more updates on the talented Norwegian artist, check out our #Pøbel page! More