About the artwork
In Balayer la Ville, Will Barras continues his exploration of movement and urban energy through a scene of cycling in full ascent. The composition, dominated by cool shades of turquoise, steel blue and orange, expresses a tension between physical effort and the architectural environment. The cyclists, drawn in a continuous flow of lines and curves, seem to glide through a space that is both real and mental. Reflections on the ground and stretched shadows create an impression of speed and light in perpetual transformation. The spectator is drawn in by the rising perspective and the spectral silhouettes of the audience, silent witnesses to the collective effort and beauty of movement.
Expert opinion
Balayer la Ville illustrates Will Barras' singular approach, halfway between urban figuration and gestural abstraction. Here, the artist manages to capture the quintessence of movement using subtle chromatic variations and a nervous, almost cinematic drawing.
The composition's spiral structure accentuates the sensation of suction and speed, while the treatment of colors - cold and metallic, pierced by flashes of orange - lends a rare atmospheric depth. The eye is constantly on the move, carried away by the lines of the roads and the vibrant reflections. This work demonstrates a mastery of visual rhythm: every line, every light, seems to be in motion. Sweeping the City thus stands out as a powerful metaphor for modernity, where human endeavor, city and light intertwine in a hypnotic choreography.
About the artist
Born in 1973, Will Barras is an artist, illustrator and animation director living and working in London. Having grown up in Birmingham, he left to study graphic design at Bristol University in the 90s. Co-founding the Scrawl collective with artists Steff Plaetz and Mr. Jago, he contributed to the development of British urban art. Cityscapes, speed of movement, vehicles and cycling - Will Barras' subjects are varied. The decor of his works bears witness to an extraordinary dynamism. A keen traveler, he exhibits his work all over the world, in Europe, the United States and Asia. His work has been shown in Japan since 2002 at Parko Tokyo and Hanku Osaka, in Miami in 2007 at the Scope Art Fair and Primary Flight, and at the Urvanity Art Fair in Madrid in 2021 and 2022.
Additional info
Framed
Proof of authenticity
3x
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