Nils Westergard is a talented young artist, street artist, and filmmaker based in Richmond, Virginia and in Amsterdam. He began creating graffiti at the age of 14 and now frequently works with stencils and creates large, freehand murals. His work often focuses on the nature of authority and the influences of his friendships.

One of the recent recurring features in Nils’ work are his surrealistic portraits. He was inspired by the work of his grandfather, an optical illusionist artist in the 1960s. By using this as inspiration, Nils is able to express his unique perspective on the human condition in a creative and very unique way.

By incorporating multiple angles of a face into one image, he creates a spectacle that is attractive to his viewers. By departing from the everyday image, the viewer is challenged to form the correct image.

His murals are often large in size, have a painterly character, and are usually black and white. By working this way, he creates an intimate and pleasant atmosphere in his work. The mural stands out, but at the same time fits seamlessly into its surroundings.

Integrating artwork into the environment is something that has fascinated Nils for many years. In addition to street work, Nils is also a skilled filmmaker. “Wallflower” was Nils’ graduation project in which his visual language beautifully coincides with the works he creates on the street.

Tags: Amsterdam, movies, murals, Rcihmond, Stencils, streetart