Street artists never fail to surprise with their own unique styles. So, it comes as no surprise that the artist duo Fabian Florin, popularly known as Bane, and Yiannis Hadjipanayis, known as Pest, display a uniqueness that is not found anywhere else.
Bane, a Swiss,and Pest, a Cypriot, are international street artists who met each other at the International Street Art Festival in the picturesque Ayia Napa, Cyprus. They soon joined hands and started working together in 2014. It was not long before their amazing works of art were recognized the world-over.
These full-time artists are based in Switzerland, in the heart of Europe, since it allows them the flexibility and convenience to travel and work in the countries of Europe, Asia and the north of Africa. They have participated in many international mural and street art festivals around the globe.
The duo is famous for their unique ideas and concepts, which are constantly evolving in creativity and strength. Their astonishing murals easily surpass their predecessors in uniqueness and scale. One of their most celebrated works is the giant mill tower mural in Chur, Switzerland.
This 24-meter-wide and 40-meter-tall mural created by acrylic paint on concrete in 2018 has become the largest in Switzerland. It required 100 kilograms of primer, 200 kilograms of paint and more than 300 hours of work. The mural depicts a ‘lighthouse’ illuminated by the Grisons crystal. The project was funded by the city of Chur and took two months to complete.
The inspiration for undertaking this immense work dawned on Bane when he was in Iceland. Says he,
“During a trip through Iceland, the raw, archaic nature captivated me immensely. The more I dealt with the environment, the earth, the stones in Iceland, the more I realized the unbelievable nature we were given in Graubünden.” Bane continues, “The oldest city in Switzerland, represented by the oldest Graubünden gemstone – the picture in my mind’s eye fit perfectly.”
The works of this artist duo are up for grabs too. They have sold their works to private collectors, companies, clubs, customers and many more. Their outstanding creations were also showcased in the Gallery Löwen in Chur. Such was the overwhelming response that almost all their works were sold out in no time! The artist duo now officially represents this gallery and also enjoy a sizeable following on the social media.
Bane & Pest Murals
Bane Instagram | Pest Instagram | Website