“Why street art? Because it gives freedom.” – NeSpoon
A street artist’s canvas doesn’t end at the edge of a frame; it can extend everywhere and cover any surface. And, their audience is not just those who choose to see their work or visit a specific gallery, but everyone and anyone who happens to walk by. Here are 5 artists that hit the streets and share their artwork and perspective with the public at large.
1. NeSpoon
This artist’s trademark lacey designs grace the sidewalks, streets and buildings of Tunisia, Australia, and Portugal, to name a few. NeSpoon uses lace imagery because of its symmetry and sense of harmony. See more of her work here: https://www.behance.net/NeSpoon.
2. Os Gemeos
Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo are Os Gemeos, or “The Twins,” and they create giants. The trademark yellow-faced, larger-than-life people peer down from the side of buildings, hang out on subway walls and adorn other industrial structures. The Twins create their own universe through street art. Enjoy more of their amazing work here: http://www.osgemeos.com.br/en
3. Hyuro
On the streets of Valencia, Spain, Hyuro’s surrealist murals with slightly political but equally ambiguous meaning are on display. The cast of characters, usually women and animals, are drawn into oftentimes dark scenes that aren’t fully explained by the artist; Hyuro gives the viewer the power of interpretation. Learn more about Hyuro: http://www.hyuro.es/
4. Aakash Nihalani
This Brooklyn-based installation artist uses simple, recognizable shapes and a bright color palette in his street art creations. The pieces, set in the stark urban landscape of New York City, invite the viewer to interact, “offering them a momentary refuge from the isolation of daily city life,” according to the artist’s website (http://www.aakashnihalani.com).
5. JR
Featured in The New York Times Magazine, JR’s larger-than-life portraits, installed on buildings and billboards around the world, start as photographs. After photographing the city’s inhabitants, JR creates public portraits based on a particular theme: the dignity of women, thug life, and even wrinkles. See more from JR: http://www.jr-art.net/.
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