From illusionary underground temples to icy cliffs and books bursting with stories, this new collection of 3D street art by Joe and Max blends realism with wonder. Featured in cities like Dublin, Gloucester, and beyond, each piece invites the viewer to step into another dimension—literally. Highlights include a yeti crashing out of a frame, a dramatic refugee boat illusion by the river, and a deep plunge into a cosmic wormhole.

🔗 Follow Joe and Max on Instagram

More: 14 Street Art 3D Masterpieces You Won’t Believe Are Real

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Tower of Stories

A vertical library opens below the street, with stacks of books supporting readers, dreamers, and fictional characters in flight. A fantasy scene set deep underground.

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Basement Underworld

A cracked urban wall reveals a shadowy basement scene, complete with wooden stairs, tools, old bricks, and worn-out walls—creating the illusion of depth and forgotten stories.

3.

ZeroSpace Vortex

A glowing vortex swirls into a tunnel labeled “ZeroSpace,” surrounded by floating pizza slices and oddities. The illusion of depth makes it feel like a portal to another realm.

4.

Hippo Breakout

A hippo appears to smash through a white wall, surrounded by cracks as if it had just broken loose. Its mouth is wide open in a roar, adding to the illusion of motion and chaos.

5.

Framed by a Yeti

A towering yeti appears to crash out of a gilded picture frame, its giant foot stepping into the real world while icicles dangle from the painting’s edge. A playful illusion that invites interaction.

6.

The Frozen Divide

A winter landscape transformed into an arctic chasm. Painted directly onto snow, this piece simulates a massive icy crevasse, with blue glacial cliffs and a red SUV parked on the edge.

7.

Boat in Rough Waters

A refugee boat breaks through painted waves on the pavement. The scene is rendered with vivid motion and real human figures for an emotional visual impact.

8.

Roman Bath Illusion

This illusion peels back the pavement to reveal a hidden Roman-style bath with blue mosaic tiles, tall marble columns, and steps descending into the imagined pool.

Whether on snow, cobblestone, or concrete, Joe and Max continuously reshape our perception of public space. Their 3D illusions invite participation, spark curiosity, and transform ordinary streets into extraordinary stories.

More: Breathtaking Transformations: Odeith’s 3D Art in Abandoned Spaces

Which one is your favorite?

STREET ART UTOPIA

2025-09-28 19:17:53

3D Masterpieces (18 Photos)

Get ready to be mesmerized by the fascinating world of 3D street art!

In today’s blog post, we’ll delve into the mind-bending realm of anamorphic masterpieces, as we explore how these optical illusions are created and what makes them so captivating. So, buckle up and let’s dive into the intriguing world of 3D street art!

It’s all about perspective! The Art of Anamorphosis:

Creating Illusions Anamorphosis, the technique behind 3D street art, involves creating distorted images that only appear in their correct proportions when viewed from a specific angle or through a reflective device. This mind-blowing technique has been around since the Renaissance, but it wasn’t until the late 20th century that artists began applying it to the streets, transforming ordinary pavements into magical wonderlands.

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By 3D-Master Odeith

More by Odeith: 19 Jaw-Dropping 3D Graffiti Pieces by Odeith

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By Shozy in Solnechnogorsk, Russia.

See how it is made and from other points of view: Stunning Optical Illusion Mural by Shozy

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The Pioneers: Kurt Wenner and Julian Beever

We can’t talk about 3D street art without mentioning its pioneers, Kurt Wenner and Julian Beever. Both artists started creating anamorphic illusions on the streets of Europe in the 1980s, revolutionizing the street art scene. Their innovative works have inspired a new generation of artists to experiment with perspective and create their own jaw-dropping 3D masterpieces.

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By Kurt Wenner

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By Julian Beever

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The Process: From Sketch to Lifelike Artwork

Creating 3D street art is a labor-intensive process that begins with a detailed sketch of the desired illusion. Artists then use mathematical calculations and perspective techniques to determine the correct proportions for the final piece. Once the groundwork is done, they meticulously apply chalk or paint to the pavement, using shading and highlights to bring the illusion to life.

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By Leon Keer, Ruben Poncia, Remko van Schaik and Peter Westerink during the 4th Sarasota Chalk Festival in Florida USBy Leon Keer, Ruben Poncia, Remko van Schaik and Peter Westerink during the 4th Sarasota Chalk Festival in Florida USBy Leon Keer, Ruben Poncia, Remko van Schaik and Peter Westerink during the 4th Sarasota Chalk Festival in Florida US

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The Impact: Engaging and Interactive Art

One of the most captivating aspects of 3D street art is its interactive nature. Viewers are encouraged to engage with the artwork, often becoming a part of the scene themselves. This immersive quality allows people to connect with art on a deeper level, sparking curiosity and inspiring creativity.

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3D Pedestrian Crossings Are Slowing Down Speeding Drivers in Iceland

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Braga Last1, also known as Tom Bragado Blanco Brings Old Gas Tank to Life with Stunning Sphynx Cat Illusion.

Where to See 3D Street Art: Festivals and Events

Eager to experience these incredible optical illusions for yourself? Keep an eye out for street art festivals and events, where many 3D artists showcase their talents. Some popular events include the Sarasota Chalk Festival in Florida, the Lake Worth Street Painting Festival, also in Florida, and the Fiera delle Grazie in Italy.

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Sleeping kitten by WA in Lima, Peru.

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‘Knowledge speaks – Wisdom listens’ – Mural in by WD (Wilddrawing) in Athens, Greece.

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By Made in Graffiti: The sleeping beauty – In Picardie, France.

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By Peeta in Mannheim, Germany.

To understand the 3D effect better, see more photos of the mural here.

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Horse by Nikolaj Arndt in Neustadt, Germany.

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Giraffe Eating the Plants by Jan Is De Man in Utrecht, Netherlands.

More by Jan Is De Man: Transforming Cityscapes with Playful 3D Street Art

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Mural by Cosimo Cheone Caiffa in Milano, Italy.

More: 27 Masterpieces By CHEONE

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Mind Your Step – 3D Street Art in Stockholm, Sweden by Erik Johansson.

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In Berlin, Germany.

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More by Eduardo Relero.

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By Sweo and Nikita in El Berrón, Spain with 4 leaf agency.

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Which one is your favorite?

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In Glasgow, Scotland.

I’ve always been drawn to SMUG’s art—there’s just something amazing about how he brings everyday faces to life on such a massive scale.

Known worldwide for his super-realistic portraits, SMUG’s murals are incredibly detailed and often tower up to 14 stories high! His work isn’t just impressive; it’s a mix of creativity and skill, with each piece telling its own story through light, shadow, and careful detail.

When SMUG starts a mural, he’s not just copying a photo; he’s adapting to the wall in front of him. Every wall, with its own texture and quirks, becomes part of the artwork. Seeing him turn these challenges into part of the art is what makes his work so incredible.

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In Frankston, Victoria, Australia at The Big Picture Fest.

Be sure to keep up with SMUG’s latest creations by following him on Instagram. For more of SMUG’s remarkable works, check out our previous collection: See some of his older murals in this collection from 2011.

Don’t forget to share your photos of SMUG’s street art in our Facebook group, Your Street Art Utopia.

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Tribute to SMUGs grandparents in Melbourne, Australia.

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Photo by @thedreadedcatstudios

In Wirrabara, South Australia.

SMUG: Wirrabara, South Australia. One of my most challenging murals to date. I can’t imagine anyone actually enjoys painting 30m tall murals on a curved surface but, contrary to just about everything I said when I finally finished this, I’m kind of keen to do another one! Haha! I love rural Australia and really regret that I didn’t have more time to spend there to fully appreciate it.

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In Leicester, UK at Bring The Paint Street Art Festival.

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In Karlstad, Sweden for Artscape.

SMUG: One of the most absorbant walls I’ve ever worked on so I killed A LOT of cans on this one and spent a couple of days longer than I wanted to on it.

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In Kreuzberg, Berlin at Berlin Mural Fest.

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This two Squirrels are from Street Art Festival in Belgium.

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For Project SAATO in Paris, France.

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In Västervik, Sweden at BANK! Västervik Street Art.

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At Upeart in Kotka, Finland.

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At Waterford Walls Street Art Festival in Ireland.

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Mural in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

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At Yardworks in Glasgow, Scotland.

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In Melbourne, Australia.

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For Artscape in Årjäng, Sweden.

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At Wonderwalls Festival in Wollongong, Australia.

SMUG: It was a real push to finish this one. Ended up only having 3 days after the local authorities threw their weight around trying to stop us. Plus for a Sunday sunset haired dude like me it was freaking hot as all hell!

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In North Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

SMUG: Painting the local legend Cam, who drops knowledge on everyone and carves these beautiful heart brooches for the women of Hobart to help them fall in love with him. Not my usual color palette but had a lot of fun painting this one.

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For Colour Tumby Street Art Festival in Tumby Bay, Australia.

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In Glasgow, Scotland.

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In Melbourne, Australia.

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Photo by @fredrikakerbergPhoto by @fredrikakerbergPhoto by @fredrikakerberg

Mural in Partille, Göteborg for Artscape.

SMUG: My wall for this years Artscape project in Partille, Göteborg. This year we were given a folk tale to base our murals on and I was given the tale of Revontulet. In the Finnish origin story of the Aurora Borealis a firefox wins favor of the villagers by igniting the sky with the Northern Lights to help a lost hiker find his way in the icy woods. This is now the tallest mural in Sweden and whispers are saying the tallest in Scandinavia.

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Mural paying tribute to farmers by Smug in Lameroo, Australia for Lameroo Silo Art. Curated by Juddy Roller.

Lameroo Silo Art: The incredible Lameroo Silo Art Project is officially completed on the Eastern Viterra Silo, in Lameroo, South Australia. The mural was completed in just 3 weeks, by the extraordinarily talented Sam ‘SMUG’ Bates, at the heels of art curators Juddy Roller! This artwork beautifully reflects Lameroo’s rich farming routes, paying tribute to the resilience of our pioneering farmers, in establishing life and livelihood. The picture aims to capture the essence of the Mallee farmer—a symbolic representation of unwavering spirit and hope, which is still alive in our community today.

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Photo by Gordon Terris.

By SMUG in Glasgow, Scotland.

In collaboration with the Govan Housing Association in honour of its 50th anniversary, inspired by the Govan-born ‘Daffodil King’, Peter Barr. Barr is credited with bringing the daffodil back into fashion in the late 1800s, and the Memorial Cup is given out each year to those who follow in his footsteps and advance the standing of daffodils.

What do you think of SMUG’s street art? Do you have a favorite?

STREET ART UTOPIA

2011-12-29 12:38:46

By SMUG – A Collection 1

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About SMUG from Vantage Point Radio (click link to here a podcast with SMUG):

SMUG is, and has been for many years, one of the leaders in the clubhouse when it comes to realistic portrait murals. His output is beyond impressive and the number of murals he paints in a year is almost unbelievable, but to him… “it’s just what I do.” His massive portraits can span anywhere from one story to 14 stories high but the detail and crispness of the image is the same every time. Over decades of painting walls, SMUG has developed a distinctive and immediately recognizable style which is not always easy for someone who paints realistically. His selection of slightly unconventional models and more importantly his very specific use of light and shadow are undeniably SMUG and exquisitely executed every time.

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