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Originating from São Paulo, Brazil, Felipe Yung’s oeuvre has achieved global resonance with murals featured in the international restaurant chain Sushi Samba in both Las Vegas and London. Recently, he spent three weeks in Gemmayze, Lebanon, executing a compelling new project.
Kami Beirut, located in the Gemmayze District, offers an unconventional blend of Japanese and Asian cuisines coupled with arresting street art. This unique blend of culinary and visual art is part of a wider aesthetic strategy epitomized by the work of Brazilian graffiti artist Felipe Yung, known as Flip.
To mark the inauguration of Kami Beirut, Flip traveled from Brazil to Lebanon to infuse the space with his distinct artistic sensibility, thereby creating a mesmerizing atmosphere. “Being here is inspiring; Lebanon is an incredibly beautiful country, and Gemmayze is teeming with vibrant colors,” he remarks. His objective is to create a sui generis experience for the restaurant’s patrons.
Flip’s artistic universe is influenced by an eclectic range of elements, from urban culture—including art, fashion and music—to specific forms of artistic expression like tagging, pichação, Shodo Japanese calligraphy and the Ukiyo-e woodblock printing technique. He also incorporates indigenous trees and camouflage patterns into his work. His artistry graces the streets and galleries of global cities such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre, Madrid, Barcelona, Los Angeles, Moscow, London, Paris, Osaka and Tokyo.
In addition to his solo work, Flip has engaged in collaborative projects with renowned artists and high-profile brands. He notably directed the graphic design for Brazilian rapper Marcelo D2’s album and tour, “Meu Samba é Assim,” and contributed to various of the artist’s performances and tours. During the pandemic, he also worked on an online project called “Assim tocam meus tambores.”
He has collaborated with Nike Global, SB, to create the Camo Pack, a special collection featuring uniforms for the Brazilian national team. Within the context of the Adidas Collider project, he was the only Brazilian artist chosen to contribute murals and various artistic installations for the brand.
Active in the realm of urban art for 30 years, Flip’s journey started in his teenage years and has evolved into a full-fledged career. “I’ve traveled the world for 30 years: this year marks my 30th anniversary in urban art. What began as a teenage passion has now become my profession,” he concludes.
Article written by Camille Mina
https://www.agendaculturel.com/article/le-street-artist-felipe-yung-a-gemmayze
