Artist’s 3D mural isn’t all she seems
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It’s a great interaction to see my art works with the naked eye and then use the glasses and then discover something else
BRISTOL’S biggest street art wall has been completely transformed into a magical work of art that is two pictures at once.
Greek artist Insane51 created the work of art in the past week on the side of the Tobacco Factory on North Street in Ashton Gate – and anyone going to view it is recommended to take some 3D glasses with them.
For the work of art uses Insane51’s specialist style of painting called double-exposure 3D, where one painting is sprayed over the top of another, but viewed through the individual blue/green or red lenses of 3D glasses, each one is revealed separately.
The giant painting facing the entrance to the Aldi supermarket is now of the Greek goddess of the night, Nyx. When viewed through the blue lens of 3D glasses, she’s revealed in all her beauty, but when the red lens is used, her skeleton only is revealed, as if it were an X-ray.
It’s the big showcase wall of this year’s Upfest Urban Paint Festival taking place in Bedminster, Ashton Gate and Southville this summer.
The weekend event itself has been postponed until next year because of Covid, but this summer Upfest is getting 75 artists to paint 75 different walls in East Street, West Street and North Street, and all the streets in between.
Artist Insane51
The side of the Tobacco Factory has always been the biggest and most prominent wall each year, and has seen the likes of Lisa Simpson and John Lennon sprayed there before.
In 2019, Bristolian artist Jody Thomas painted a mural depicting Swedish climate change campaigner Greta Thunberg, which became world famous – the teenager even used it as her profile picture on all her social media channels.
Double exposure is a style Insane51 has used all around the world, and in Bristol most notably in 2019 at the last Upfest when the side of Signmarket around the corner in Ashton Road had a similar image of a woman and her skeleton.
“I’ve obviously been here many times before and I’ve wanted to paint this wall since forever,” said Insane51, who had to go into quarantine earlier this month when he arrived from Greece to be able to paint in Bristol this past week.
“So we had discussions with Steve (Hayles, Upfest founder) and George (Ferguson), the owner, so we’ve been talking about since a couple of years ago and obviously I showed my interest in this wall and Steve was happy to let me paint it, so I was really excited when I got the permission to paint it.
“With the use of 3D glasses, you’re able to see both layers and actually discover more. Sometimes, things are not what they seem. It’s a great interaction to see my art works with the naked eye and then use the glasses and then discover something else.”
As the painting has taken shape over the last week, many shoppers in Aldi have spoken to the artist, and given their view, but Insane51 said he’s happy to let people make up their own mind.
“I prefer if everyone can have their own interpretation of the artwork. My plan was to paint something that was Greek mythology related, and it’s a little bit environmental,” he said.
“We also try to use a lot of spray gun, instead of spray paint, so that’s also better for the environment. That’s the main concept and it’s up to the viewer to decide for themselves.”