Stunning 3D Butterfly Murals That Appear to Fly Off Walls | Go Travel Daily

Stunning 3D Butterfly Murals That Appear to Fly Off Walls

Mantra: The Butterfly Murals that Redefine Urban Art

If you come across a butterfly display that is vividly realistic but located on the side of a building, then chances are you have stumbled upon a piece by Mantra.

Mantra, whose real name is Youri Cansell, is a French artist and naturalist with a life-long fascination for entomology—especially focusing on butterflies and moths. He shares that his childhood imagination “found shelter between gardens, forests, and rivers,” and although he grew up in a city, he always viewed butterflies as integral to these surroundings, as they appear and disappear in such unpredictable ways.

Mantra standing in front of a piece he painted in Cancún © Mantra / Gino Caballero for Proyecto Panorama

This deep interest translates into the subjects populating his large-scale artworks: murals painted on both modern and abandoned building façades that he animates with vibrant butterflies—thanks to his unique technique using trompe-l’œil, which creates stunningly realistic effects. Although his pieces may share common themes, Mantra emphasizes that “every piece is a journey on its own,” striving to maintain a balance between the project’s purpose, location, and the evolution of his painting.

The piece in the picture can be found in Las Vegas © Mantra / Justkids for Life is Beautiful

“Like a scientist, I see each piece as an experiment,” Mantra articulates. “One where I’m able to collect memories and knowledge, which helps to understand my surroundings and move forward as a human being.” Consequently, he mentions that he cannot pick a favorite piece, as each one represents unforgettable memories.

Mantra pictured working on a piece in Turin, Italy © Mantra / Martha Cooper for Toward 2030

“I started by painting in abandoned sites, especially a factory left behind from the mining activity in my region,” he recalls about his beginnings. Today, his work has taken him across the globe—from New York City to Las Vegas to Turin—to convey his message of eco-consciousness and raise awareness about the vanishing biodiversity.

Mantra’s work brings butterflies into urban settings like this one in Brooklyn © Mantra / ODA

To explore more of Mantra’s artistic vision and to view his impressive body of work, visit his official website here.

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