UP’s Art News Recent Round-Ups

Published on October 3, 2025

Welcome to your regular dive into the dynamic world of street art and culture. From striking new murals turning heads to global street movements shaping the scene and everything in between! We’re tuned into what’s happening now and why it matters.

We keep an eye on what other leading voices and publications are saying, learning from across the culture to bring you a broader, deeper perspective.

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Saype’s Monumental Land Art in Villars-sur-Ollon

French-Swiss artist Saype continues to redefine the boundaries of land art, this time with a massive painting across the alpine slopes of Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland. Using his signature biodegradable paint made from chalk and coal, Saype creates stunning, large-scale images that speak to human connection and unity—all while highlighting the fleeting nature of art in the natural world. The work is breathtaking but temporary, gradually fading back into the landscape as the seasons change.

This ephemeral approach isn’t just poetic—it’s intentional. Saype’s art leaves no lasting mark on the environment, sparking a conversation about how creativity can exist in harmony with nature. In a world where permanence is often prized, his land paintings remind us that beauty can be temporary, and that impermanence can make art feel even more powerful.

By merging awe-inspiring scale with environmental responsibility, Saype shows how art can provoke, inspire, and vanish without leaving a destructive footprint. His Villars-sur-Ollon project is a bold reminder that sometimes the most moving works of art are the ones that exist only for a moment.

— Reported by Donna ‘Don’ Haden, GraffitiStreet, 28 September 2025

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Maurizio Cattelan’s Global Scavenger Hunt

Leave it to Maurizio Cattelan to turn the art world into a game. Partnering with Avant Arte, the Italian provocateur has launched We Are the Revolution, a limited-edition resin sculpture, alongside a worldwide scavenger hunt called Where’s Maurizio?. The miniature work riffs on his iconic 2000s pieces, shrinking the once-monumental self-effigy into a 23 cm collectible—equal parts parody and provocation.

From September 30 to October 7, hidden editions will appear in New York, London, and Amsterdam, tucked away in places as ordinary as corner stores or as chic as antique shops. Prices will fluctuate wildly, from $0.99 bargains to €9,999 status symbols, poking fun at the absurdities of art-world valuation. With its playful mix of critique, humor, and public participation, the project blurs the line between collector frenzy and urban adventure.

— Reported by StreetArtNews, 29 September 2025

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Bristol Gets a Vibrant New City Centre Mural

Bristol’s Centre Promenade is now home to a dazzling new mural that promises to transform the city centre into a hub of colour and community. Spanning the size of two tennis courts, the work—titled Our Common Ground—was created by local artist Oisín Davis-Lyons, known as Oshii. Inspired by African heritage and Bristol’s diverse communities, the mural replaces the old fountains and brings a fresh sense of life to the promenade.

Davis-Lyons and his team of painters spent three weeks covering the 704.4-square-metre canvas with vibrant imagery, creating a piece designed to draw people together. “To be able to make something for the city, for everyone, in the heart of Bristol… it’s been a huge honour and privilege,” he shared. Supported by Upfest Projects and commissioned by the city council and the Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District, the mural is part of a wider effort to revamp public spaces and make the city more welcoming.

The mural not only celebrates local culture but also aims to encourage social gathering and community engagement. With its bold scale and dynamic palette, Our Common Ground is a reminder of how public art can invigorate urban spaces, turning ordinary areas into destinations for connection, creativity, and celebration.

— Reported by Leigh Boobyer, BBC, 29 September 2025

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Sucka Punch Graffiti Jam Brings Street Art Celebration to Brattleboro

Brattleboro, Vermont, is set to transform into a vibrant canvas this October with the return of the Sucka Punch Graffiti Jam. Running from October 3 to 5, this free, family-friendly festival celebrates graffiti as a dynamic element of hip-hop culture. Organized by Juniper Creative Arts, the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, and Stone Arch Properties, the event will feature live painting by local and regional graffiti artists, interactive art activities, and DJ sets throughout the weekend.

Held on Arch Street, directly across from the Latchis Theatre, Sucka Punch offers attendees the chance to witness the creation of large-scale murals, participate in workshops, and contribute to a community mural wall. The festival kicks off during Brattleboro’s First Friday Gallery Walk on October 3 and continues with a Saturday night block party featuring music, food vendors, and dancing. Workshops will cover topics such as bubble letters, character design, and the art of spray painting, catering to both youth and adult participants.

Beyond its artistic offerings, Sucka Punch aims to challenge perceptions of graffiti by highlighting its role in transforming public spaces and fostering community engagement. As co-founder Will Kasso Condry notes, events like this tap into the spirit of creativity that comes from youth culture and collective expression. By embracing graffiti as a respected art form, Sucka Punch underscores the power of art to beautify neglected spaces and build connections among diverse audiences.

— Reported by Tara Schatz, Brattleboro Reformer, 1 October 2025

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Last, But Not Least, Banksy

I hope you are not tired of hearing about Banksy news, because a mural from the artist’s 2021 Great British Spraycation series is once again making headlines. This time for a potential sale. The work, originally painted on Gorleston beach’s model yacht pond, depicted two children clinging to an inflatable dinghy while an adult distractedly pumped it up. It quickly became controversial due to a tragic local incident in 2018 involving a young child and an inflatable, leading the council to remove the mural and restore it at significant cost.

Now, Great Yarmouth Borough Council is considering selling the carefully preserved piece at auction or via private sale, with proceeds intended to support community projects. The council had previously contemplated displaying it in a local museum but decided it would be insensitive given the history. Cabinet members will weigh the recommendation to value and sell the mural at a council meeting on October 7.

This situation highlights the delicate balance between public art, community sensitivity, and financial pressures, while reminding us of Banksy’s uncanny ability to keep his works—and their stories—at the center of cultural conversation.

— Reported by Owen Sennitt, BBC, 1 October 2025