Based on photographs of landscapes and cinematic portraits, Sebas Velasco‘s murals and paintings courageously capture people and places. For the 2024 London Mural Festivalthe artist has unveiled a large-scale depiction of a local resident of Brixton, where the piece was recently installed at the head of a residential building.
The young man in Velasco’s painting, waiting for the Brixton railway line, leans back against a concrete balustrade and looks to the side, illuminated by the station’s lights, which also glow in the background. With the title ‘A Lasting Place’, Velasco uses a sense of time slowing down, of contemplation and ease.
Velasco enjoys the process of exploring and getting to know the places where he develops his public artworks. The compositions emerge organically as he immerses himself in the local environment and meets people who live in the area.
Together with his long-time collaborator Jose Delu, who helps create highly contrasting, vibrant photographs, Velasco draws on conversations and experiences in each place to reveal something of its spirit through his work. He often speaks about the idea of connection, which is also the theme of this year’s festival.
If you’re in London, you can explore more than 100 murals as part of the event through September 29, including pieces familiar to Colossal readers like Marija Tiurina. New installations were made this year by Pain Elseed, BAPE, D*Face, Betz Etam, Anna Ovneyand more.
Find a card at the festival websiteand to delve further into Velasco’s work, check out his website And Instagram.
