I kind of stumbled across Javier de Riba’s latest project, entitled ‘Floors’, and found myself captivated by his bold but beautiful designs. By definition, I guess you would expect anymore than a regular graffiti artist; de Riba works in derelict spaces leaving behind a permanent signature. However, the geometric patterns left behind are unlike any graffiti I have personally ever seen.
De Riba’s installations give a nod to the cement tile patterns Catalonia is known for. Instead of using tiles, he builds the artwork with layer by layer stencilling, ultimately unveiling the stunning patterns. There is no attempt to disguise the history of the spaces, and any debris or building damage simply adds to the character of the work.
And if you don’t happen to have an abandoned building to your name, you can buy prints online in a much more manageable format!