Hera and Akut are a street art duo from Germany who also go by the names Jasmin and Falk. Together, they call themselves Herakut, a signature that they place on street art works that they’ve created as a pair. Herakut’s style is fascinating; the artists use spray cans to create textures and forms that aren’t often found in graffiti art. To Herakut, a spray can is a trruly versatile piece of art equipment, and instead of allowing their art to be held back by the limitations of a spray can, these artists have found ways to manipulate the medium to expand their artistic style. An example of this can be seen in the way that their characters are often outlined several times in different colors to create a sketchy effect, and in the way that each line has character.
While many spray graffiti artists dread drips, Hera and Akut will often intentionally add in drops and splatters of paint to give an abstract, artistic effect that offsets the photo realistic parts of the paintings. This idea of merging reality and fantasy is also exhibited in the subjects of Herakut’s street paintings. Caricaturized women and animals appear to have natural proportions in some areas, but are fantastically proportioned in other areas.
While Herakut’s paintings have a sense of cute appeal about them, there is a darker vein that runs through each art work. Moody characters stare out of their paintings as if they dislike the world that they look out over. Some paintings portray scenes that are not uncommon in human interactions such as small cruelties, manipulations and mutual despair. Between the sweetness of the characters and the darkness that they are often engaged in, and the combination of opposing art styles; Hera and Akut’s paintings are a visual description of human nature.
Take a look at Herakut’s website or find them on Facebook. For more pictures of Herkut’s art, visit German Artists Hera and Akut create Fine Art Graffiti on Mayhem and Muse.
