It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of street art. I especially love large colorful murals that bring life to a city. One of my favorite muralists is Eduardo Kobra. His brilliant use of color and bold lines are mesmerizing.
About Eduardo Kobra
Eduardo Kobra is a self-taught artist from the outskirts of Sao Paulo, Brazil. He is one of the most recognized muralists today with artwork on display in five continents. In the 1990’s, he worked for the largest amusement park in Brazil making posters, painting toy scenarios, and creating images for events. His work was so successful that other companies and advertising agencies sought after him.
Kobra’s Exquisite Murals
Although many of Kobra’s pieces are colorful, he garnered media attention in 2007 through his series of black and white and sepia-toned murals. Kobra reproduced old photos of Sao Paolo in street murals. His distinct style was hard to ignore.
Muro Das Memorias
Muro Das Memorias is the project that first attracted media attention. It’s not hard to see why. It beautifully captures a snippet of the city’s history and the people that came before. I love how realistic the image looks. The contrast of the black and white makes it even more impactful.
Ethnias
In 2016, his piece, Etnias, or Ethnicities in English, held the record for the largest graffiti mural in the world. Kobra created it to celebrate the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. The level of detail is impressive from the wrinkles on the woman’s face to the man’s beard. Plus, the vibrant colors are breathtaking.
Cocoa
In 2017, Kobra broke his own record with his mural, Cocoa. This work of art in honor of chocolate is located in the metropolitan area of Sao Paulo. It is spread across 5,742 square meters on the margins of the Castello Branco Highway.
O Beijo
O Beijo is one of Kobra’s most famous works. It was visible from the high line in New York but was erased four years later. It’s a colorful representation of the famous photo taken by American photojournalist Alfred Eisenstadt. Eisenstadt took this photo when people were gathering in the streets to commemorate the end of World War II.
Martin Luther King
This Martin Luther King piece is part of Kobra’s “Clippings of History” series. In this series, he reinterprets remarkable moments in our history. I love this recreated image of Martin Luther King delivering his speech ‘I have a dream’. The way Kobra was able to capture the crowd on this monumental day shows off his sheer skill.
Ballerina
Kobra also likes to copy old images of notable individuals. In Moscow, you’ll find his exquisite mural of legendary Russian ballet dancer, Maya Plisetskaya. This piece, Ballerina, captures her grace and elegance so well. I love the movement, colors, and shapes displayed in this image.
Kobra’s murals that reinterpret old images are part of his “Walls of Memory” project. He also has other projects that draw attention to important issues. His project “Green Pincel” is dedicated to animal rights and environmental issues. “Sao Paolo: Reality Expansion” is a series devoted to challenges plaguing the city. Some topics addressed are unemployment, corruption, and homelessness. Although some of his projects address certain issues, most of his works are based on life in big cities.
No one combines photorealism, bright colors, and geometric shapes quite like Kobra. His murals are truly a sight to behold. I hope you enjoyed marveling at his work with me.
To explore another talented muralist, check out this post on Steven Teller. For a completely different style, check out the work of artist Robert Gunderman.
Warmly,
Megan