May 2017 5

The ‘MUR Mulhouse‘ welcome local and international artists to paint on a large public space in the city centre of Mulhouse, France. I was the 42nd artist but the first female artist to paint on the wall! Hopefully the first of many.

  Photo credit: Zabou (1,2,3) & Thomas Itty (4)

Last year, Mexican artist Villana and I did a collaboration in London to pay tribute to Frida Kahlo, a subject Villana had used many times. The piece was much loved but short lived, hence why I painted a new portrait on a more permanent wall.

The design shows Frida with a radiant aura and smile, holding her brush and paint. A beautiful screen print inspired by this design will be released in June.

Last week, Spike Lee filmed Grandmaster Flash in front the tribute mural I painted last year when visiting the USA. The video promotes the 60th Grammy Awards ceremony, and celebrates New York as the city of music.

The mural of Grandmaster Flash was painted last September with the help of the TAG Public Arts Project in the South Bronx. The artwork, inspired by a photo by M.Daoud, pays tribute to the origin of hip-hop and the legendary DJ.

Watch the video below:

Cyprus is one of my frequent painting destinations, with great joy I travelled there once again for Street Life Festival celebrating its 10 year anniversary. I painted at this occasion two giant murals, one in Limassol city centre and one in the small town of Athienou.

The first artwork, painted on a building with large windows with bars, depicts a man hand-cuffed with birds flying off. I was inspired by the space to create something about prison and freedom. Despite being chained, a person’s spirit can be free.

“Free” – Zabou – 12x8m – Limassol, Cyprus – 2017

The second mural, painted in Athienou, depicts a little girl laid down, holding her backpack where her cat is peeking out, and listening to music – with a walkman! How old school. I wanted to paint this feeling of being by oneself, feeling good and taking the time to think, to breathe, to relax.

“In My Head” – Zabou – 22x3m – Athienou, Cyprus – 2017

I was recently commissioned by the city of Nantua (Eastern France) to paint a set of 13 colourful murals celebrating the Tour de France. The event will take place in the city centre on the 9th of July as part of the route 9 ‘Nantua/Chambéry’. The artworks were painted on various shop windows as an initiative from the city to occupy abandoned spaces with art.