In a time when city facades are increasingly becoming places of expression, some works of art stand out for their beauty and technical precision. One such mural is located in Hobart, the capital of Tasmania – and depicts a cat the size of a real building.
This mural, which is the work of a street artist known as Smug One (Sam Bates), fascinates with its hyperrealistic execution. The details of the fur, the view, the lighting – everything is executed so precisely that passers-by often stop and think that it is a photomontage.
But what makes it special is not only the technical execution, but the emotion it evokes. Street art is no longer vandalism – it has become a way for artists to communicate with public space, tell stories, comment on society or simply – create beauty.
The cat in this mural does not speak, but its gaze seems to be observing something – perhaps us. Or perhaps it is just enjoying the view of the world, just as we are while looking at it.