The static nature of street art since its beginnings in 60s and 70s Philadelphia and New York has allowed the movement to develop into depictions of art that affront the viewer as they fill public spaces. But what happens when street art features a representation of the figure…or even of the viewer? The style of figurative street art may now be dominated by the likes of Banksy, using heavy outlines and almost comic or animated renditions of the figure as his subject matter. When pop culture meets street art we recognize the figure like in works by Jimmy C. But the figurative in street art, recognizable or not, captures the gaze of the viewer as the viewer ultimately sees themselves in the work. As you deep dive into our own selection of works, you’ll find French street artists like Sufyr, whose proud street art roots allow him to capture the emotion of those who emote (the figure) and allow him to retain expression. You’ll also come across the works of Miss.Tic, deemed an illegal artist due to her stenciling of Parisian walls in the 80s but retrospectively applauded as an eternal feminist using figurative art to play with the gazes and thoughts of the passer-by.
