The young protagonists of El Bocho’s larger-than-life murals gaze out across the city, their expressions hard to read. Who are they? Where do they come from? What stories do they have to tell?
The enigmatic Berlin-based muralist and…
The young protagonists of El Bocho’s larger-than-life murals gaze out across the city, their expressions hard to read. Who are they? Where do they come from? What stories do they have to tell?
The enigmatic Berlin-based muralist and artist El Bocho is a prominent figure in the contemporary street art scene. His “paste-ups” – large-format artworks printed on paper and glued directly onto street corners and buildings – can be found in cities across the world, immediately recognizable by their signature combination of typography and imagery. The stylized and brightly-colored portraits recall Japanese manga art, whilst simultaneously reflecting their urban surroundings to create a thrillingly cosmopolitan mixture.
In his Citizen series, El Bocho depicts a range of young people from across the world, their direct gaze inviting passersby to stop and think. His street artworks differ from graffiti in the way they incorporate elements of their surroundings within the art itself, creating an almost living dialog with the urban environment. The fleeting nature of the medium means each of his paste-ups is a temporary installation, eventually succumbing to weather, rain or other artists. Despite international acclaim, El Bocho still conducts his work in secret.
El Bocho was born in Frankfurt, Germany in 1978. A generation X-er, the former graphic designer remains deeply involved with youth culture. He continues to honor his street art roots, working in anonymity and displaying his portraits in cities across the world. Ultimately, he sees himself as an observer of everyday life - the public response to his Citizen murals inform and inspire his other works, creating a never-ending dialog of action and reaction between artist and viewer.
Exhibitions
Solo Exhibitions
2021
2.Big Mural-painting at Checkpoint Charly
2019
Big Mural-painting at Checkpoint Charly
2018
Tokyo – 104 Gallery
2017
Raab Galerie – 10 Years „Goldene Zeiten“
2016
Tokyo
Kenia – Nairobi / Mural painting
2015
Ostrale Dresden
2014
Rosenheim / Museum – Städtische Galerie
München / Galerie Neuheisel
Galerie Neuheisel – Saarbrücken
2013
Raab Gallery Berlin
2012
Kunstverein Ludwigsburg
2006-2011
Raab Galerie Berlin
Paris – Galerie Ligne 13
Berlin – Raab Galerie
London – Brick Lane Gallery
Sao Paulo – Red Bull “HOUSE OF ART”
Neurotitan Berlin
Cologne / Artyfarty Galerie
Urban Affairs / Tapeart-world-record (1100m²) / Berlin
Raab Galerie / Berlin
Hamburg / Mono Concept
Art Karlsruhe / Karlsruhe
Stattbad Berlin – No more sugar for the monkey / Berlin
Berlin – Sticker Museum
Raab Galerie / Berlin
Berlin – Found Gallery / Los Angeles
Berlin – Urban Affairs
Napoli – Bazar-one
Berlin – Gallerie Tristesse – Streetart goes Fineart
Group Exhibitions
2017
"TheHaus“- Groupshow Berlin
2016
Amsterdam / GO Gallery
2013
Urban Art Völklingen – ( Jef Aérosol | Cope2 | Dondi | El Bocho | Shepard Fairey | Invader |
Mick La Rock | Phase2 | Reso | Seen …)
2012
Raab Galerie – group exhibition (with Salome, Lüpertz, Fetting, Dreyer…)
2011
Museum Permm – Russia
2011
Raab Galerie – group exhibition (with Lüpertz, Fetting, Hödicke, Lagerfeld…)
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