Austrian graffiti artist paints the town red, literally

It was the first time that Austrian graffiti artist Jeremias Altmann had visited Delhi. In a short while, amazed and inspired by the colours of Delhi and the warmth of its people, he felt compelled to recreate his experience. Eight months down the line, his passion and perseverance have led to the Austrian Cultural Forum and the Delhi Tourism organising an exhibition of his sketches and street art.

The exhibition will be held from December 9-15 at the Dilli Haat in INA, where people will not only be able to see Altmann’s finished works but will also get a chance to see the artist himself at work.

“I came here in April this year. It was my first trip. I was struck by the web of electric wires in the city, especially in Old Delhi. Inspired by that, I chose to make black and white etchings,” Altmann says. “But it seemed impossible to recreate the life on Delhi streets without using colours. The joy in the air made me go from grey scale to colour,” he adds.

Altmann’s work can also be seen on the walls of Malviya Nagar and Lodhi Colony. In April, he had painted more than five walls in the city. “When I draw on the streets of Austria, some people might stop by to look. But in Delhi, I am amazed that when I turn around, hundreds of people are standing behind me, observing and admiring my work. Delhi people are so kind that some of them even walked up to me to ask if I charged anything. When I told them I paint for free, they offered me tea and food,” he says.

“Back then, I wasn’t supported by any institute. But now, the Austrian Cultural Forum of the Austrian Embassy and the Delhi Tourism are supporting me,” he adds.

“Street art has really grown to become a very conspicuous medium for conveying messages on social, environmental, peace and other relevant issues of day to day life,” says Marlene Riethus, Cultural Head of the Austrian Embassy.