Street Art: Infectious Smiles from Pez

El Pez started painting in the outskirts of Barcelona in 1999. The Spanish native shifted from using his name as a signature to using the figure of a smiling fish, leading to the emergence of his current moniker, El Pez (“The Fish” en Español). Soon after El Pez had invaded the streets of Barcelona, he began to travel through European cities and his vibrant and joyful style was easily recognizable, and rising in prominence thanks to its uniqueness, as well as the artist’s perseverance and hard work. The original smiling fish has since given way to the wide family of jolly characters seen below.

El Pez, as his style indicates, is a feel-good artist, unburdened by socio-political agendas. “I don’t paint to express [anything]…I paint for enjoyment.” His smiling fish is meant to “spread happiness and good vibrations to the people in the streets.” El Pez is not influenced by other street artist, he draws his inspiration directly from the world around him. He lives in his own artistic universe, much like a child, which might be why his work emanates such a strong, youthful sense. In fact, he dislikes “people who export styles from others countries and believe is original.” (Read more here).