Germán Bel, better known by his tag name Fasim, is a pioneering Spanish urban artist who has been a central figure in the graffiti and street art movement since the mid-1980s.

Biography Highlights

Early Beginnings: Born in Barcelona in 1972, Bel began his artistic journey around 1984–1985 in the neighborhood of La Trinidad. He started by using industrial sprays and waxes found at construction sites.

Pioneer Status: He is widely recognized as one of the first artists to introduce graffiti and urban art to Spain, active during a period when the movement was largely marginalized by mainstream institutions.

Global Connections:

1989: Met the legendary American artist Futura 2000 in Barcelona, which influenced his transition from street walls to working on canvas.

1992: Traveled to Paris to work at the studio of JonOne and BadBC at the Hôpital éphémère, further developing his studio practice and joining the renowned 156allstarz crew.

Influences: His career was significantly shaped by photographer Henry Chalfant, whose work documenting the New York graffiti scene served as a vital reference for early European artists.

Artistic Style and Current Work

Fasim's contemporary work is described as a blend of "nature and asphalt," where textures are transformed into melodic compositions. He explores various mediums, including:

Urban & Public Art: Continued presence in public spaces through large-scale murals and graffiti.

Studio Art: Sophisticated canvas works that have been exhibited in galleries like Assai Gallery.

Writing & Research: He is also active as an investigator and author on urban art history.

Currently, Germán Bel lives and works in Barcelona. You can find more of his work on his official website or Instagram profile.

https://www.fasim.org/

https://www.instagram.com/germanbel_fasim/