For our project spotlight this month, we are focusing on the brand we built for ArtHaus, a multifamily development firm that’s reimagining workforce housing across the Bay Area. They create thoughtfully designed spaces and buildings to uplift residents and the surrounding community. One of the unique ways they do this is by commissioning local artists to paint murals on the exterior of each of their buildings, supporting artists as well as bringing art into the urban landscape.
We love this commitment to artistic expression, and it makes us think about how powerful art can be in public spaces. That’s why we’re highlighting mural artists making unique work around the world. Check it out.
Curiot (Favio Martine)
Mexican artist Favio Martinez, better known as Curiot, creates vibrant murals that blend mythical motifs with bright, often neon colors to invoke the folklore of his native country. His works feature fantastical creatures and humans morphing into animals, which are meant to reconnect urban dwellers with ancient, nature-centric narratives. His murals can be found beautifying walls from Mexico City to Los Angeles. View more here.
Blu
Blu is an enigmatic Italian street artist renowned for his large-scale murals that often carry strong social and political messages. Emerging from the graffiti scene in Bologna during the late 1990s, Blu’s distinctive style involves vivid, surreal imagery that critiques contemporary issues such as consumerism, environmental degradation, and global warfare. Check out more Blu.
eL Seed
A French-Tunisian artist, eL Seed is known for his unique style of calligraffiti, which blends traditional Arabic calligraphy with modern graffiti art. His murals often carry messages of peace and unity, subtly weaving complex cultural and social narratives into colorful, flowing Arabic script. We love his work on “lost walls” – marking abandoned architecture throughout Tunisia with his signature style, bringing them out of the past and into the present. Read more about the Lost Walls of Tunisia.
Lauren Ys
Lauren Ys, also known as Squidlicker, is a prolific muralist and illustrator known for their vibrant and fantastical creations that often explore themes of identity, sexuality, and the surreal. Their murals are characterized by a bold use of color and intricate detail, featuring a mix of mythical creatures, human figures, and dream-like landscapes. Want to see more? Check out Squidlicker on instagram.
What’s your favorite style? Let’s talk about it.
Did you find this article interesting? If yes, you might also enjoy our post on 5 female designers that changed graphic design or the art of cookbook design.