ADVERTISEMENT

Urban artist Falko One brings life and color to the streets of South African towns. After thirty-two years as a graffiti artist, Falko has played a significant role in the development of South Africa’s graffiti scene by leaving his marks on lonely walls. The artist’s awe-inspiring murals often resemble local wildlife which also cleverly interacts with various elements of the buildings, such as windows, pipes, or air conditioners.

In 2010, Falko started a project called “Once Upon A Town,” where he painted his way across South Africa, turning poor neighborhoods into open-air galleries that attract tourists. Vivid elephants in all shapes and forms are his most common and recognizable artworks. Scroll down to check his most incredible spray-painted creations!

More info: Instagram | twitter.com | Facebook | falkostarr.wixsite.com

Falko One's career goes way back, he explained his background. “I started doing graffiti art in 1988 through my involvement with hip hop (very, very early days in our development) here in Cape Town, South Africa. It’s all I do to this day. The elephants in particular I started doing in 2014. I was in Dakar, Senegal when I did the first one." 

The artist explained the motivation of the elephants and why he started drawing them. "In short, the people of the village weren’t happy with me painting chickens (‘cause that’s what I painted for a while before). The chickens caused quite a few problems. In that moment, and not wanting to waste the trip, I took a risk and painted what I thought would be ‘neutral’… And hence the seed was planted. Now my work has evolved into using air cons, windows, and trees… Basically, I’m trying to incorporate my works into society non‐intrusively,” the artist told Bored Panda.

ADVERTISEMENT

Falko makes a beautiful case for non-intrusive methods of painting so that graffiti doesn't clash with the environment, or with the locals, for that matter. Sometimes the graffiti may look great by itself, but it isn't responsive to the environment. Falko's work shifts this notion and coexists with the background. What are your thoughts, pandas? If you like the artist's work, you know what to do—show support and follow him on his social media links above.

ADVERTISEMENT
#10

Street-Art-Graffiti-Falko-Fantastic-South-Africa

falko1graffiti Report

Add photo comments
POST
bejaflor avatar
beja flor
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh wow. Such a great integration of the house's details and great painting!!

View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

Street-Art-Graffiti-Falko-Fantastic-South-Africa

falko1graffiti Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#13

Street-Art-Graffiti-Falko-Fantastic-South-Africa

falko1graffiti Report

Add photo comments
POST
monika-soffronow avatar
Monika Soffronow
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

South African Jazz & Afro-Pop Collection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRWWcIL6rDg

View more commentsArrow down menu
#21

Street-Art-Graffiti-Falko-Fantastic-South-Africa

falko1graffiti Report

Add photo comments
POST
lynslow avatar
Demongrrrrl
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What an amazing imagination, to be able to look at both the structure and landscape and envision a work of art.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#22

Street-Art-Graffiti-Falko-Fantastic-South-Africa

falko1graffiti Report

Add photo comments
POST
vidimlic62 avatar
Mimi777
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This would be cool painted on a nursery school or something

View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

Street-Art-Graffiti-Falko-Fantastic-South-Africa

falko1graffiti Report

Add photo comments
POST
susan-herbert345 avatar
SoozeeQ
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The child in the doorway is adorable. (And the elephant's pretty cute too - I'm half-expecting him to toss that lightbulb with his trunk).

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#38

Street-Art-Graffiti-Falko-Fantastic-South-Africa

falko1graffiti Report

Add photo comments
POST
sendmorerum avatar
Up All Night
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't you say that trash bag will stay there forever for the sake of the graffiti

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#39

Street-Art-Graffiti-Falko-Fantastic-South-Africa

falko1graffiti Report

Add photo comments
POST
#40

Street-Art-Graffiti-Falko-Fantastic-South-Africa

falko1graffiti Report

Add photo comments
POST
253210 avatar
Flower Boy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i showed this one to my brother (who's favorite animal just happens to be sharks) he approves! said that is was amazing uwu

View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 88 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda