Open air museum to see in Osaka now
Open air museum to see in Osaka now
Harbour cities or cities with significant industrial and manufacturing heritage have long been hot spots for street art to flourish. In Japan, that energy is palpable in Osaka, where the scene is wide open and thriving across different neighbourhoods today:
- Konohana-ku, where Mural Town Konohana is featuring international artists in the local environment, turning the ward into a dynamic cultural hotspot.
- Yodogawa ward brings the Yodokabe Festival, curated by none other than Japanese artist iconic BAKIBAKI.
- Kitakagaya, a former shipbuilding district turned art hub, filled with murals, quirky installations, and creative community.
- America-mura, iconic hubs of urban/western culture, home to works like Peace on Earth (1983), Roy Lichtenstein’s Osaka Vicki (1998), and, more recently, murals by COOK, STIK, Invader, SAND NAOKI, BOXER JUNTARO, and Nick Walker, to name just a few.
Here are four cool spots, and there’s so much more to discover in Osaka, Kobe, the Kansai region, and all over Japan! Exploration continues, with more to share along the way.
Au Japon, le street art obtient enfin droit de cité
Yodokabe 淀壁
Mural painted by バキバキ [BAKIBAKI], artist and founder of YODOKABE, a murals’ festival he runs with WALL SHARE in Japan.
IG: @bakibaking ; @yodokabe
→ Au Japon, le street art obtient enfin droit de cité
| The mural that illustrates this article, which I read carefully a few years ago, led me to explore the Japanese art scene today ~ KIKKAKE?
シーサー Shīsā, Okinawa
WRAP UP' Festival in Okinawa
Okinawa’s symbol Shīsā inspired some artists invited at WRAP UP’ Festival this year. Here is one mural painted by the sisters HAMADARAKA (Emu Arizono /Eru Arizono).
Okinawa Prefecture is the southernmost prefecture of Japan in between Japan’s main islands and Taiwan. The archipelago has a distinct culture from Japan called champuru, a fusion of different Southeast Asian cultures, United-states’ influence, and heritages as former and independant Ryūkyū Kingdom.
Shīsā are Okinawa’s iconic lion-dog guardians, believed to ward off evil, a mythical protectors and powerful symbol of Okinawan identity and spiritual culture.
WRAP UP OKINAWA 2025 Produced by WALL SHARE Inc.
Location: Koza Ginza Arcade, Teruya, Okinawa City 〒904-0011 Okinawa, Japan
Art across East-London’s streets
Art across East-London’s streets
A morning walk through East London, where works by STIK, Thierry Noir, Robert Vargas, Dan Kitchener, and more turn the city’s walls into an open-air museum of urban art and creativity.
Within the Hoxton East & Shoreditch ward, London.
“Rise Above Earth Justice” Mural in Shoreditch, London
Mural in Shoreditch, London / Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Wandering through London’s neighborhoods and unexpectedly coming across Shepard Fairey working on a new mural “Rise Above Earth Justice”, his largest London mural yet.
The Mural can be found Anlaby House, Boundary Street, London E2 7JD.
Oaxacan handcrafts, collages and colorful murals
Oaxaca’s traditional crafts, collages and colorful murals
Oaxaca is the state with the largest communities of artisans in Mexico — Barro Rojo, Barro Negro, Barro Verde, Figuras de Barro, Alebrijes, Tapetes, Textiles.
From ceramics, wool textiles, pottery, wood carving, traditional embroidery, to the production of mezcal, Oaxacan handcrafts are rich in both quality and variety. The traditional techniques of Oaxacan artisans are stunning!
Exploring the collages and colorful murals on the streets of Oaxaca City, visiting its print workshops, learning about the making of natural pigments for paints, and more, it’s definitely an inspiring spot for art and handcraft lovers.
Behind the Graffiti: Stinkfish Speaks
tropical wildstyle graffiti
tropical wildstyle graffiti
On this recent interview with Stinkfish as part of a selection of unique artworks currently featured, the artist shared some of his insights, process of creation and his view on the evolving graffiti scene in Latin America and beyond.
tropical wildstyle graffiti
tropical wildstyle graffiti
On this recent interview with Stinkfish as part of a selection of unique artworks currently featured, the artist shared some of his insights, process of creation and his view on the evolving graffiti scene in Latin America and beyond.
tropical wildstyle graffiti
tropical wildstyle graffiti
On this recent interview with Stinkfish as part of a selection of unique artworks currently featured, the artist shared some of his insights, process of creation and his view on the evolving graffiti scene in Latin America and beyond.
Wandering the streets of Bogotá a decade ago, I began spotting the colossal and colorful murals of Stinkfish. His distinctive style, often described as a fusion of contemporary culture and ancient traditions, has been defined by the artist himself as “a blend of photography, tropical wildstyle graffiti, and stencils.”
Stinkfish’s signature spray-painted stencils come alive through bold color fields and intricate freehand detailing. His works spotlight anonymous passersby and local residents, transformed into vibrant portraits.
01. Anonymous passersby
Stinkfish My portraits explore how public spaces reflect social inequality, where visibility in public spaces often belongs to those who can afford it. My selection of photographs is guided by a commitment to anonymity and equality. It’s also important to me that the photos are unposed, taken from a respectful distance, and feature people I don’t know, capturing everyday moments where expressions aren’t forced or conditioned. These photographs will become my candid portraits to take into public spaces, on the street which can be a space open to the representation of everyone.
ES « Mi trabajo con retratos tiene que ver con el espacio público, con las maneras de representanción en la calle, donde por lo general las personas que figuran son aquellas que pagan por estar allí. La elección de las fotografías en mi trabajo está atravezada por el anonimato y la igualdad, todos podemos estar representados en este espacio, la calle. Y en una segunda instancia es importante que sean fotos sin pose, donde el momento sea real y cotidiano, donde la expression no esté condicionada. Geralmente son fotografías tomadas en la calle, en lugares públicos, a una distancia prudente, y de personas que no conozco. »
Born in the megalopolis of Mexico City, also known for its gigantic urban art and graffiti scene. Stinkfish grew up from the age of four in Bogotá (Colombia), a place where he built his life, his art, friendships, and various projects. This typical Latin American capital, which he describes as a fairly large city—chaotic at times, aggressive at others—is his home, a place where he finds time to organize ideas, rest, and disappear from time to time.
Chiriyacu – Quito, Ecuador | the Detonarte festival – December 2015 (Based on a photograph taken in Oaxaca, Mexico // october 2014)
On his blog, Stinkfish shares various insights, including one in which he discusses Decree 075—a regulation on graffiti issued by the Bogotá district in 2013. In this article, the artist reflects on how troubling it is that the collective imagination surrounding graffiti can be reshaped, erasing its roots as a form of escape from the grip of institutions and consumer culture in its early days.
Practically speaking, the experience of graffiti remains unchanged. For Stinkfish, it continues to serve as a tool for critical awareness—for questioning our reality, institutions, laws, and the collective life we all share.
*[Mention: “LA CIUDAD QUE FALLA / Apuntes sobre Graffiti en Bogotá”, LA CIUDAD QUE FALLA / Apuntes sobre Graffiti en Bogotá – stinkfish.024 / Ediciones Hogar (wordpress.com)]
With each mural, Stinkfish captures flickers of humanity behind the eyes of everyday people across the globe. Though he is sometimes labeled an “artist-anarchist,” his work moves beyond rebellion, rooted instead in a nuanced exploration of society, questioning our reality, and place.
02. How do you feel to be sometimes labelled as an ‘artist-anarchist’?
Stinkfish I don’t like labels; they fall short and oversimplify people—they ignore the complexity of thoughts, experiences, and identities each of us holds. I believe that graffiti, beyond being an artistic movement, it’s a tool for building critical awareness of the world we live in. From there, I aim to keep consistency across my work, ideas, relationships, and opinions.
ES « No me gustan las etiquetas, se quedan cortas al momento de afrontar la realidad, somos muchos en uno mismo. Creo que que el graffiti más allá de un movimiento artístico es una herramienta para construir una posición crítica frente al mundo en el que vivimos, desde ahí intento ser congruente con mi trabajo, con mis ideas, con mis relaciones, con mis opiniones. »
Beijing (Pekin), China | August 2015 | Collaboration with Robbbb (Based ona photo taken at the airport El Dorado // Bogota // Colombia // April 2014)
03. Graffiti connections.
Stinkfish I got my start with some friends in the legendary Excusado Printsystem crew, while developing my own practice. I’m now part of the Animal Power Culture (APC) crew and also involved in the Instituto Bogotano de Corte (IBDC) project. I’ve always enjoyed wandering the streets—getting lost, discovering new places, and observing the city’s chaotic rhythms. Graffiti is all about wandering. Once I got to know graffiti up close, I knew it was the path I wanted to follow—one that would allow me to understand the world in a sincere way. There isn’t a grand story behind my pseudonym. During my teenage years, ska, punk, and hardcore musics were a part of my daily life, and I believe that was the main influence behind choosing the name Stinkfish.
ES « Siempre me ha gustado la calle, caminar, perderme y conocer nuevos lugares, observar como funciona el caos de las ciudades. Y el graffiti es eso: caminar. Una vez conocí el graffiti de cerca supe que era el camino que quería tomar, que me permitiría entender el mundo de una manera sincera. No hay una gran historia detrás de mi seudónimo, cuando cruzaba la adolescencia el ska, el punk, el hardcore hacián parte de mi día a día, creo que esa fue la principal influencia al momento de hacerme llamar Stinkfish. Arranqué con un grupo de amigos, con el legendario grupo Excusado Printsystem, pero también haciendo mi trabajo individual de manera muy intensa. Ahora hago parte del crew Animal Power Culture (APC) y también del Proyecto Instituto Bogotano de Corte (IBDC). »
Bogotá, Colombia | May 2018 | Collaboration with Zasinha @thegruffwriting
Colombia-based street artist Stinkfish gained international recognition for his colorful and large-scale murals. His work spans continents, appearing on walls across Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia, Guatemala, Spain, Germany, the UK, France, Holland, the USA, Austria, Nepal, China, and beyond.
Navajo Nation - Arizona, USA | Read more
Printed art form dates back to the very beginnings of humankind
Japanese Prints: Shin-hanga and Sosaku-hanga
If printmaking had the ability to express itself, it would be an open book, sharing its stories for hours on end, for this art form dates back to the very beginnings of humankind. The diversity and vitality of printmaking can be seen in its constantly renewed aesthetic. In Japan after ukiyo-e, came shin-hanga and sosaku-hanga.
Learn more: Japanese Prints : New Wave
| Article published a few years ago on BeauxArts magazine
Supporting the brave photojournalists in Gaza
Dozens of artists have joined the worldwide street art movement known as Unmute Gaza, which is harnessing creativity and community to call attention to the situation in Palestine.
Breaking the silence | Supporting the brave photojournalists in Gaza
Print and Paste. On the streets. 🕊️
→ website www.unmutegaza.com and on social media @unmutegaza
Public joined the movement to by (freely) downloading the PDF prints and pasting them around the world.
“UNMUTE GAZA has shut down the Guggenheim in New York and covered streets across 21 countries, 31 cities and counting. American artist Shepard Fairey join their international roster of visual artists, creating posters for the public to print and paste worldwide.”
www.amnesty.org ; brooklynstreetart.com ; thisiscolossal.com
Printmaking at Atelier Circulaire
Collaboration, Creation, Transmission
Atelier Circulaire is an artist-run center dedicated to creation, research, dissemination and training in the printed arts. Its aim is to preserve and teach traditional printmaking techniques while integrating new technologies and contemporary practices related to the printing arts.
Promote excellence in both the preservation and transmission of printmaking know-how in Québec, the rest of Canada and internationally.
IFPDA The World\'s Largest Art Fair for Prints & Editions
IFPDA Print Fair 2023 [World's Largest Art Fair for Prints & Editions]
Not as much street art as I would have liked to see, but this was still an artistic exploration at the IFPDA Print Fair 2023 🎨 (International Fine Print Dealers Association) on the occasion of its 30th anniversary.
Commemorating three decades, this year’s fair hosts an impressive roster of more than 90 exhibitors from seven countries, showcasing over 550 years of printmaking.
Location : River Pavilion, Jacob K. Javits Center, 429 11th Ave, New York, NY, USA
5th edition of MTL connecte built around collective intelligence
MTL Connecte 2023
Collectible-Prints’ founder was invited at MTL connecte 2023 with a French delegation of young professionals in digital culture and creativity with the support of the Office franco-québécois pour la jeunesse (OFQJ) & La Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
The 5th edition of MTL connecte was built around collective intelligence, with a focus on Culture and Creativity: How can collaboration between governments, businesses and organizations provide more equitable access to culture and digital creativity? What will be the place of creators and creative industries in a world where works and content can now be generated by AI? What are the ways in which digital technology can enhance the influence of culture and heritage?
Meetings, conferences, workshops & inspiring discoveries!
Manifestampe promotes printmaking heritage in all its forms
Manifestampe
Collectible-Prints became member at Manifestampe : the National French Print Federation : “Manifestampe’s aim is to promote contemporary and heritage printmaking in all its forms”
How to Frame Prints: Tips and Inspiration
Elevated Float Mount
Every artwork deserves a frame that enhances and protects it.
There is a simple rule to follow: the frame should never draw more attention than the artwork itself. It’s a matter of balance—a matter of balance for the best match.
For original prints or works on paper, my favorite type of framing is called an elevated or high float mount (french: montage flottant). A space between the background, the artwork and the glass, will give a sense of lightness, suspended in space, the artwork appears to float inside the frame…
When paper has deckled edges, floating can also highlights the texture or shape of the paper. Another reason to use a float mount is to preserve visible elements like the artist’s signature or edition number, which might otherwise be hidden by a mat or frame.
Art begins with its making
Membered at L'imprimerie, centre d'artistes
“Becoming a member of L’imprimerie, centre d’artistes is delving into new avenues of artistic exploration; it is making a meaningful gesture towards participating in the development of contemporary art; it is committing to and being involved in a community based on sharing and exchange.”
Plural: Montreal Contemporary Art Fair
Plural: Montreal Contemporary Art Fair 2023
Artistic exploration at Plural 2023 edition !
Plural celebrates the best of contemporary art in Canada. Formerly known as the Papier Art Fair, Plural is organized by the Contemporary Art Galleries Association. The 2023 edition welcomed 49 galleries from 8 Canadian cities.
Printmaking and street-art in Tiohtià:ke / Montréal, QC
Tiohtià:ke / Montréal [QC, CANADA]
In January 2023, Collectible-Prints’ founder moved to Tiohtià:ke / Montréal, QC, Canada. The adventure began with outdoor walking explorations of Montréal’s urban art scene and indoor discovery of eco-friendly practices at printmaking workshops.
Few months later, Collectible-Prints was delighted to published for the first time in Canada the talented artist TIMA from Marocco.
Printmaking at URDLA
Workshops at URDLA
Founded in 1978, URDLA is a center for artistic creation and experimentation, rooted in the rich traditions of printmaking. Over the years, it has built a sophisticated infrastructure for printing, publishing, and sharing art.
URDLA also offers a range of workshops where participants can explore printmaking techniques through the lens of contemporary art.
Hotspot for street art in Chile
Hotspot for street art in Chile
Perched on the coast, Valparaíso stands as one of Chile’s great street art capitals. Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción are particularly popular for street art lovers with a concentration of murals. From delicate stencils to sweeping, brush-painted compositions, these neighbourhoods form a living, ever-changing urban arts landscape.
Long before the Panama Canal, it was a vital stop along the Atlantic–Pacific maritime route via the Strait of Magellan, a natural crossroads where people, ideas, and cultures converged.
It is also the birthplace of of INTI, the internationally acclaimed muralist whose vibrant works, rich in symbolism, weave together the traditions and colours of Latin America.