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Meet Frank de Ruwe, better known as "Frankey" on social media. He is an Amsterdam-based street artist whose playful and unexpected creations bring a little fun to the city's vibrant streets.

Whether it's a dinosaur head emerging from a canal, beloved cartoon characters holding street signs, or whimsical figures interacting with lampposts, Frankey's art always manages to surprise the passersby of the European city. His work, which can be found in various nooks and crannies of Amsterdam, transforms ordinary urban places into fun little scenes if you look closely enough.

More info: Instagram | frankey.com

Given the chance, just like last time, Bored Panda reached out to Frank. When asked to share an example of a time when a piece of his street art received an unexpected or particularly memorable reaction from the public, Frankey recounted, "I always find it very special when a work of mine that has been damaged by the ravages of time is repaired. For example, a few years ago, I installed one in a brick wall where one brick was missing. This brick hung with two Mickey Mouse arms with the recognizable white 4-finger hands on the hole in the brick wall as if it was escaping. After a few years, one arm was lost. A few weeks later, it was replaced by someone but by an arm with a white hand with 5 fingers."

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Discussing his sources of inspiration, particularly while cycling through Amsterdam, Frankey shared, "What I find most inspiring is a street that I have never known before. If I have to cycle far, I often choose a route that takes me through a new street even if it takes a bit of a detour."

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Balancing the need to create non-damaging installations with the desire to make impactful and engaging street art is an important aspect of Frankey's work. He explained, "I am very fortunate that my work is published weekly in the newspaper (Het Parool). This way, I can make an impact with a work that has never caused any damage."

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With the rise of digital art and social media, the artist sees new opportunities for street art. He noted, "I think every new technology offers an opportunity to fit into art. For example, for my new show that starts this week, I made a work partly with AI. The title of this work is 'AI caramba.'"

Looking towards the future, Frank hinted at his biggest and most special work set to be revealed in Amsterdam after the summer. He teased, "This summer in Zandvoort (Amsterdam beach), a speedboat that appears to have crashed from the sea into a lamppost on the boulevard. PS: My Canal Skybridge in the center of Amsterdam is a must-see visit."

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#24

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ZovThePhoenix
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love to make the tiny Christmas towns every year. I have even made 15 tiny letters to Santa for the mail man.

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John Kamau
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5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would have put "RED" from Angry Birds holding his "chiplets" with one eye half closed

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John Kamau
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5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why does this sign remind me of that song "God Loves People More than Anything" I think by Darlene Czech or Hillsong.

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Van Hoa Trinh Thai
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5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everyday and everywhere in the world, government employees raise their respective national flag. So, it might not be an attribution to 9/11. It is always nice to remember though. The artist himself from Amsterdam, perhaps it is a normal scene from there. It is an honor when one took an oath to become a citizen of a country or immigrate to a country, the country must respect their contributions also. It is a shame a country singled out LBGT+ or black, API for discrimination. The USA had a chronic Alzheimer's so they are just keep repeating mistakes over, over and over again.

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Note: this post originally had 56 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

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