Graffiti artist brightens French streets with tile art
A French street artist is brightening up the streets of Rouen (Seine-Maritime, Normandy) by painting tile-like traditional designs onto pavements, to make them 鈥渕ore charming鈥� than the usual concrete.
Nicolas Soulaba脧, aka InkOj, uses original stencils and spray paint to create the designs, which, when finished, resemble the colourful, traditional tiles commonly used to decorate old entrances to houses and shops.
(Photo: / Screenshots)
Since January, the artist has created 11 pieces in the Saint Marc neighbourhood of the city. Each piece takes several hours.
He makes the stencils himself using a craft knife and then applies them to the concrete pavements to produce the work usuing traditional colours - such as yellow, terracotta, white, and light blue - to create the effect.
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(Photo: / Screenshots)
He explained that he is inspired by old, traditional houses, and spaces in the city鈥檚 Place du Vieux-March茅. 鈥淐oncrete has no charm. I am intervening to make it more charming,鈥� he said.
Perhaps unusually for a street artist, Mr Soulaba脧 also has the support of the local Mairie and Rouen residents.
He said: 鈥淸The Mairie] gave me permission to continue, saying: 鈥楰nock yourself out!鈥�.鈥�
One resident of a building with the artwork outside : 鈥淭o see it in front of your place is such a beautiful gift.鈥�
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Mr Soulaba脧 shares his work , with a number of photos showing the variety and colour of his work.
