studio giftig transforms eindhoven's monumental thomas hall with photorealistic graffiti art

studio giftig has covered over 600 sqm of the monumental thomas building at stratumseind 23, eindhoven, with a massive photorealistic painting that extends to its cafe‘s walls and ceiling. using spray cans to paint over the rectilinear ornamental mouldings of its interior hall, the studio worked for weeks to produce a large, surreal scene of bold colors and distinct figures. 

header video by quicksand productions, liselotte van der sande

photos by helden van de buurt

following a period of doubt by the monument’s committee, niels van swaemen and kaspar van leek, the artist duo behind studio giftig, received the approval to transform its characteristic architecture and attract attention back to it with their immersive intervention. upon entering, visitors are greeted by a huge spoonbill with a crowned monkey on its back ‘flying’ towards them, surrounded by colored paper planes. complimented by a pink backdrop, the surreal scene continues with a flying statue of a man with a whale next to it, a huge portrait of a woman wrapped up in cloths, branches of trees, and a floating donut.