Helixotherapy by Wild Drawing

Helixotherapy by Wild Drawing adorns the corner of Coolsestraat and West-Kruiskade. The artwork draws inspiration from the helix (or spiral), a prevalent pattern in nature. WD added to this concept an allusion to the work of the well-known Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher,  particularly a bust in the shape of a curly ribbon, presented in an engaging 3D perspective. While the original was created with a neutral color palette, this new one introduces a rich range of colors, with blue, turquoise, and purple as the main hues, contrasting directly with orange and yellow, creating a vibrant composition.

Although the bust itself may not create an optical illusion, the circular curvy lines between the windows, enriched with thoughtful shading, transform a simple brick wall into a vast area where the bust fits perfectly! To further enhance the illusion, Wild Drawing painted a hole at the top of Helixotherapy, resembling an open space where the bust seems to ascend.

About the artist:

Wild Drawing (WD) was born in Bali, Indonesia, and holds Fine Arts and Applied Arts degrees. He began his journey as a street artist in 2000 and has dedicated much of his time to outdoor work while maintaining a studio practice. Starting as an urban artist, he relied on techniques like paste-ups or stencils when he moved to Athens, as they were fast and simple for his early days with non-commissioned projects. WD has held solo exhibitions and participated in group shows and street art festivals across Asia, Europe, and America. Notable publishers such as Thames & Hudson, Éditions Alternatives, and Lonely Planet have featured his work in their street art publications.

WD creates artworks with a lot of tridimensionality and optical illusion, not only by painting imaginary spaces with creative characters but also by making a conscious effort to engage with the environment of each site, incorporating local elements to foster a harmonious connection between his artwork and its surroundings (the optical illusion doesn’t stick only to the wall, but the whole perception of the space around changes with it). His art mixes photo-realism techniques with a more personal figurative style, drawing inspiration from various themes such as social phenomena, lifestyle, art, and nature, always with a touch of fantasy and unreal scenarios, a dreamlike approach.