UK artist  Paul Insect, is currently in Mexico creating large murals in collaboration with Sweet Toof. Insect is a renowned graphic designer. His work is primitive and aggressive which he disguises by using vibrant color that appear joyful. After his first solo show in London in 2007 his career imploded.

The origins of Sweet Toofs’ name resulted from a “crisis after a messy break-up,” according to Olly Becks. As he looked in the mirror he found a distorted imager of himself with “crescents of teeth.” He said that “the visible part of our skeletal frame” became a reminder of morality which he explores in his work. Sweet Toof plays with the 16th century Northern European “Vanitées.” The “Vanitées” have a focus on death one of the propelling symbols is the one of a skull. The skull imagery is also used and honored by Mexican culture. The two artists merge traditions and styles to create a rich cultural piece.

The post Street Art: Paul Insect & Sweet Toof – Disguising Horror with Color appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.