Between Fiction and Reality: Mr. Super A’s Story
Written by Polya Pencheva
Published on June 16th, 2025
Mr Super A is the alter-ego of the Dutch artist Stefan Thelen, who is recognized for his unique ribbon-like style that manipulates reality, transforming it into vibrant cartoons and colorful sculptures. His work is an evolution of his thoughts, experiences, and thoughts; demonstrating his growth one step at a time that’s turned into the art we have experienced.
“As a kid, I used to draw to process things. If something happened, I would start drawing and it would help me to get rid of things,” said Stefan Thelen. This personal connection to art led him to pursue an education in graphic design that started to shape his creative identity.
While studying, he landed an internship at a company that introduced him to large-scale mural work and hands-on craftsmanship. Everything he did revolved around manual work. “I brought my own computer to work because they didn’t have one,” he recalled. At that point he had to file education papers and the company he worked at didn’t work with digital technology. “I learned a lot of things I and I could be creative,” explained Thelen.
During this time, he began developing his own visual signature. However, after being laid off, he faced a pivotal moment: “Now you have to do it yourself,” he told himself. This marked the beginning of his independent artistic journey.
“In the first years of my career, I was really searching for a theme,” recollected Thelen. He later on realized that contradiction was a recurring element in his work.
He started working for local theme parks and simultaneously began pushing himself to create more personal work. Eventually, Thelen transitioned from creating for others to fully focusing on his personal artistic practice, using everything he learned in the past—through murals, sculptures, paintings, and installations—into unique body of work. He now works independently from his studio while traveling the world, creating public art and participating in global festivals
“In the first years of my career, I was really searching for a theme,” recollected Thelen. He later on realized that contradiction was a recurring element in his work. Often drawing inspiration from stories, the news, and daily experiences, the artists transforms familiar narratives into visual statements.
A turning point for him came during a group show in Chicago, themed around portraiture, where he developed his “trap style” a visual approach combining the cartoon and the real worlds using a ribbon-like effect. Though initially meant as a short series, it evolved into a larger body of work due to its success and the creative potential it offered.
“At first, I just wanted to make five works and move on—but it turned into something bigger. It was never planned; it just grew,” remembered Thelen. Having explored that style deeply, Thelen has begun looking for a new challenge that pushes you out of your comfort zone.
A turning point for him came during a group show in Chicago, themed around portraiture, where he developed his “trap style” a visual approach combining the cartoon and the real worlds using a ribbon-like effect.
When asked what his favourite medium for creating and designing artwork is, Thelen responded that for him it is a combination. “Painting in the studio, on canvas, is the most comfortable and the easiest. There are certain rules I follow, but it is still the easiest. With sculpture, especially in the ribbon style, I really struggle with gravity. I have to make it work.” The gravity issue partially comes from the materials Thelen uses, which include clay, resin, polyester, and even concrete. Each material, of course, brings its own challenges, especially when the artist is aiming to create ribbon-like forms.
One of the things Thelen appreciates most about his work is the opportunity to leave a lasting mark on the urban environment. Murals, he believes, bring color to neighborhoods and have the power to uplift communities.
Thelen also explained that when painting a mural, it is very important to consider its context and surroundings. Sometimes, when he participates in festivals or collaboration, the theme is already predefined. One example of this is a mural he worked on in New York, US. “It was a collaboration with Street Art for Mankind and the United Nations, aiming to educate and raise awareness in public, open spaces,” explained the artist. According to him, this is the power of public spaces and art: they can reach everyone from casual passersby to the people who actually stop and reflect on the deeper meaning of the artwork. It’s a way to bring issues to people’s lives and routines in a laid-back way.
The mural focused on the global issue of plastic overproduction—something Thelen said is “visible everywhere on the streets.” The project aligned well with his style and incorporated the Miraculous Ladybug character, which had also featured episodes addressing the same environmental theme.
According to him, this is the power of public spaces and art: they can reach everyone from casual passersby to the people who actually stop and reflect on the deeper meaning of the artwork. It’s a way to bring issues to people’s lives and routines in a laid-back way.
What he used to watch growing up played an important role in shaping Thelen’s artistic interests. He enjoys exploring and reinterpreting characters or themes that inspired him as a child. “Sometimes I thought I would never be able to paint a character because it won’t work, but then a year later I would realize I can actually do it if I change a thing or two,” explained the artist.
One interesting idea about Thelen’s works is the constant push and pull between how things appear to be on the surface. A good example is Thelen’s reinterpretation of Barbie and Ken as Adam and Eve, inspired by Rubens. “Barbie is so skinny that there’s no way you can fit a real person inside her,” explained Thelen. According to this artist, Barbie’s proportions are unrealistic, so he reversed the concept. Instead of a real person fitting into Barbie, Barbie became part of the classical human narrative.
Through his reinterpretations of reality, Mr Super A blur the lines between imagination and the everyday life. Whether on canvas or concrete, his work invites us to look twice reminding us that there’s always more beneath the surface.
Polya Pencheva obtained her master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Groningen and the Netherlands and likes to talk about traveling, entertainment, street art, and innovation in her stories. During her free time, she enjoys playing board games and reading. Her favorite superhero is Spider-Man and she believes that with great power comes great responsibility. The way to her heart is black coffee, a good book and some chocolate.
Insta: @polyawrites