According to the last data research published by Statista, the TOP 5 worldwide art auction houses moved an approximate amount of $11,000M in 2018. Moreover, this boom became partially possible thanks to the street art vs fine art clash.
- Christie’s – $4.998,87M
- Sotheby’s – $3.932,49M
- Poly Group – $654M
- Phillips – $653M
- China Guardian – $606M
Taking into account that urban art’s popularity is increasing, so it does the number of private art collectors in Spain. Events such as ARCO or Urvanity Art offer the possibility to culturally enrich one’s minds once a year.
However, does the general audience have a clear idea on what’s the difference that exists within the contemporary art industry? Does there exist any similarity between the artworks produced in the street and those who were created for a modern art gallery?
Let’s identify the most important factors:
- Audience
- Purpose
- Timing
Street art vs fine art. Round 1.
From its beginnings, graffiti has evolved enormously. It all started in United States as an illegal way of marking one’s crew territory, and it ended up in modern art museums all over the globe. For instance, Urban Nation in Berlin (Germany)
Some artists observed how trendy the street art panorama was and left their street ‘tag’ activism in order to work for art gallery owners and private collectors.
Based on our thoughts, the street art vs fine art differences rely on the following bullet points:
1-. What’s the targeted audience?
First of all, we should compare the spectators. It’s not the same the crowd who attends contemporary art fairs and events than those who appreciate street art in the urban landscape. In other words, the streets.
Consequently, we could affirm that street art targets an ordinary public, whereas fine art focuses on the VIP society. For instance, folks who admire urban art might not be able to purchase a 20,000€ canvas. Is that correct?
Let’s observe another example. Imagine modern art collectors who love the artwork of one specific street art artist. The main purpose set on the street decoration relies on the communication with the public. However, if a person is interested in the artist’s private collection, that could be sold as fine art, instead of street art.
2-. What’s the purpose with which the artwork is created?
Second difference observed in the street art vs fine art dispute is the purpose. Does an artist create each artwork with the same meaning? What’s his/her goal?
Based on our thoughts, street art works for a social change. Artists observe how powerful their tools are. The urban landscape serves as a public museum of modern art. Consequently, creators usually add a message in their paintings:
- Climate change,
- Feminism,
- Social equity,
- Political corruption.
On the other hand, fine art just looks for the aesthetics. That is to say, artists embellish homes/offices in a private setting. Definitely not a public environment. They could include a social meaning, but art owners who pay thousands of euros for a single artwork are interested in the beauty of art.
3-. How long does it take to create them?
Later, we could discuss about timing. In general terms, small street art items such as paste ups or tile artworks do not take a long time to be displayed. You just actually need a good H40 product to stick your development in the streets.
If you observe big street art murals / walls, they could take time. Yes, but details are not as developed as in fine art. Moreover, this last type of contemporary scene puts emphasis in the detailed & tailored process.
It could take up to months to develop a fine art piece. For example, how long would you say that it could take to create a canvas with a natural hair paint brush? What if it only has one lock of hair?
4-. What are the materials used in street art vs fine art?
Last but not least, let’s discuss about the products used in each case scenario. For instance, it’s a fact that some street artists names use recycled materials in order to develop their artworks. What’s more, artists using costless items will cut down the expenses.
Oppositely, fine art uses exclusive materials and the best products available in the market. Have you ever heard of the connection that exists between gold and contemporary art? Artists who produce VIP pieces, may even use leafs from Aurum Metallicum.
Street art vs fine art in Spain. What’s the community like?
Similarly to what happens in other places, the street art vs fine art in our country is on the crest of the wave. There exists organizations and projects which promote both ends.
Now that we have analyzed the differences between them, let’s dig on Instagram to find not only emergent talents, but also street art artists who permanently make a living out of it.
Spanish street artists names
Over the last decade, artists from all over the country have contributed to decorate walls and change the cities’ landscape. Pedestrians observe how in both rural and urban areas, street art has become part of their daily lives.
Urban artists color boring walls and turn them into a piece of art. That’s how the cultural departments of the countries’ city councils are fighting graffiti. They offer writers a permission to paint and avoid risking their time & money.
This is a brief list of Spanish street art artists that you should check on the internet:
1-. Deih (Valencia, Spain)
Deih is one of the most famous names in the graffiti and street art scene in Valencia. He collaborates with XLF crew. Both his studio and mural artwork transitions from steampunk to comic illustrations.
‘The insider’ is his personal approach to art after almost 30 years of hard work in the industry. When talking about wall paintings, he creates four dimensions. It’s there where he illustrates constellations and neurotic creations.
2-. Sixe Paredes
Sergio Hidalgo is a contemporary art artist from Barcelona. Abstractionism and figurativism would best explain his artworks. Furthermore, he endows symbols and shapes to his universe.
His inspiration in brut and folk art makes possible for us to observe the aesthetics. We could define Sixe Paredes as a surrealist artist who talks through art.
Don’t all artists have a complex mind?
3-. Rosh333
Rosh 333 (Alicante, 1977) is a professional graffiti writer whose career started at the end of the 90’s. His discipline and experiments made him one of the street art icons in our country.
What does he play with?
- shape,
- texture,
- colour.
The best fine art in the country
North to South, and East to West, the fine art in Spain is at its best. Consequently, if you are interested in decorating your home with tailored modern art, you might probably want to check the following names.
4-. SPOK Brillor
Felix graduated in Fine Arts at Complutense University, Madrid. His style is defined by the graffiti movement. He adds urban & suburban landscapes in both indoor and outdoor canvases. Spok’s artworks are highlighted by mirrors too.
Brillor has exhibited at important galleries and festivals around the world. For instance, London, Hong Kong, Miami… He currently works with Ink & Movement.
What we like the most about this artist is the excellent way he connects a photograph and a painted canvas. He is a master at using fisheye lenses! Check more of Spok Brillor artworks on Instagram.
5-. WESL Art
Jesús studied at ESDIP, Madrid. By that time, he was already a graffiti writer in Toledo. Thanks to his skillful techniques, he soon moved from a street atmosphere to a studio work.
They way he moves his wrist while shadowing is one of the most attractive techniques you’ll observe in a live painting. Wesl’s artworks feature loops and blurred areas that combine to the perfection with human faces & illustrations.
He is also a qualified tattoo artist. To follow him, visit his official facebook profile.
6-. Belin
This self-taught plastic artist was born in Linares (Jaén). Miguel Ángel Belinchón Bujes is currently one of the best representatives of the Spanish street art vs fine art clash.
You could see his artworks either on walls or private collections across the globe. Belin defines himself as a post neocubism artist. The high end profile of his artworks makes a statement about his professional skills.
He develops so realistic paintings without using a single stencil. A dream which came true after so many years of hard work and motivation.
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