If you find yourself walking through the streets of Amsterdam, Netherlands, and find a big tongue sticking out an air vent or a figurine of a martial artist in a cracked wall, congratulations; you’ve just stumbled upon an art installation by Dutch artist Frank “Frankey” de Ruwe.
Inspired by famous British graffiti artist Banksy, Frankey started using the streets of Amsterdam as a playground for his creative practice. With simple interventions, he transforms traffic signs, fences, and other urban objects into amusing street art.
“I just want to make people smile with my work, that’s the greater good. A 6-year-old and a 90-year-old can smile at the same thing; it’s amazing that you brighten someone’s day with just one object,” he shared in a recent interview with The New York Times.
Frankey started this fun project in 2020 when he noticed a studded block on the street that reminded him of a LEGO brick. He decided to create a giant LEGO figurine of André Hazes, a popular Dutch singer and placed it on the block.
Since then, Frankey has been entertaining locals and tourists with new installations on a weekly basis. He presents his newest pieces through newspaper Het Parool while also sharing them on Instagram. However, he never reveals the exact location, wanting people to discover them on their own.
So, if you are visiting Amsterdam one of these days, pay extra attention to your surroundings, and maybe you’ll see one of Frankey’s installations in person. In the meantime, check out some of his previous works below.
