It is art that will not only take your breath away – but probably give you a crick in the neck too.
This magnificent mural now covers a vast wall in York – as a new art gallery announces its arrival in the boldest way possible.
Covering 7.6m by 12.8m it is quite possibly the largest piece of art ever made in the city.
It was created by two of the world’s leading urban artists, Defer and Big Sleeps, from Los Angeles.
With the blessing of owner Nick Brown, they turned the blank concrete wall of department store Browns’ goods-in area into something far more eye-catching.
Defer and Big Sleeps are typographic artists from the K2S crew.
Popular around the world
With another artist Retna, they established the LA written word genre in the 80s and 90s which is now popular in galleries across the major art centres of the world.
They were in the UK to deliver paintings to The Art of Protest Gallery after a convention in Paris.
After being immersed in the history of York for a few hours, they were inspired to create a work which weaved in the historical moments of York’s long past.
Defer said:
I hope York and its visitors love it as much as we do.
Jeff Clark from Art of Protest Gallery said it instantly turned an eyesore into “York’s newest attraction”, adding:
Not only have we helped Brown’s get rid of the eye sore, we have created a vibrant piece of art that will get people talking and divide opinion.
The City of York is privileged that Defer chose York to create his first mural in Europe.
For the last ten years Jeff and Craig Humble have been representing artists while working for Europe’s largest publisher.
Jeff subsequently worked in the US with Hoerle Guggenheim and Symbolic Galleries where he first met Defer.
Craig said:
The Art Of Protest is the latest addition to the area known as The Quarter, the hub for independent retailers as well as bars and eateries.
