DAVE BARANES

Dave Baranes is a self-taught French painter who draws inspiration from the graffiti and urban art movements of the 80s. He has a penchant for creating large-scale 2D work, which led him to develop his skills in trompe l'oeil murals.

In 2015, Baranes launched a collection of paintings featuring stunning feline subjects that quickly gained popularity on social media. His paintings are often accompanied by cleverly worded text that invites the viewer to reflect on their relationship with these captivating wild animals.

Baranes is an ardent animal rights supporter and is deeply concerned about environmental justice and the threats to biodiversity. Thus, he chooses to portray endangered species in his paintings. These animals are depicted within an urban jungle, a setting that is typically chaotic and devoid of human presence. This anachronism takes on a new significance in the current times when animals are increasingly invading our urban spaces following the lockdown of society. Baranes hopes that his works will encourage us to reflect on the kind of world we want to create and inspire us to take action towards achieving it.

Baranes' creative journey has been marked by various influences, and since 2018, his works have showcased a clever blend of traditional trompe l'oeil techniques and “Old School” graffiti styling that he enjoys.