Sponk - Nature vs. urban 800 m² graffiti, Gelsenkirchen 2024

Sponk – Nature vs. urban, 800 m² graffiti, Gelsenkirchen 2024

02/01/2025

Graffiti artist Sponk, whose real name is Dan Geffert, is realising a monumental work of art in Gelsenkirchen called ‘Nature vs. Urban’: an 800 m² mural in the subway on Bismarckstraße, not far from the ZOOM Erlebniswelt. It is the largest graffiti work by a single artist in North Rhine-Westphalia.

It will be realised in three stages, each of which will take around two months. The design alone required several weeks of intensive planning. Sponk uses his characteristic crystalline 3D graffiti style to depict the themes of Africa, the Arctic Circle and Asia.

Stage 1: Africa

The African section shows a father lion with his son, proudly presenting their prey on a rock. Giraffes, an elephant and meerkats can be seen in the foreground, embedded in a central African landscape with trees, bushes and a distant mountain panorama. A striking tree with a colourful wild bird symbolises untouched nature, while a domestic cat stalking the bird represents the threat posed by humans.

At the transition to civilisation, we first see small wooden houses with campfires, then tin huts and finally industrial structures that are cut off from nature. A huge rubbish dump in the foreground shows a battered blue teddy bear with a heart in its hand, from which a rat is plucking the cotton wool – a metaphor for the relationship between FC Schalke 04 and its loyal fan base in Gelsenkirchen. Further details such as a Thonet chair, a wedding ring in a delivery box and a giant pigeon in front of a red winding tower enrich the scenery.

Stage 2: Polar Circle

The polar world is characterised by an icy landscape at sunset. At the start of the tunnel, an imposing orca leaps out of the water, startling two penguins. The energetic sunlight is reflected in the water, which glows in bright colours. In the background is a snow-covered coniferous forest in harmonious pastel colours, suffused with warm sunlight. An impressive mountain landscape rises in the distance, its peaks just swallowed up by the sun.

A polar bear stands on a floating ice floe with its cub. A majestic bald eagle spreads its wings and protects the unspoilt nature. Dominating this scene is an intimidating castle – a concrete construction with green smoke rising from its towers. A bright, inviting path lined with four-leaf clovers leads to this castle. On closer inspection, the castle turns out to be a prison with surveillance cameras and a demonic obelisk. However, a brave, overweight raccoon, moulded by consumption, has escaped and has marked the outside of the castle with the words ‘Keep away’ and ‘No sanctuary’ to warn others of the trap.

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Resonance and meaning

The artwork inspires people of all ages and backgrounds. During its creation, Sponk received overwhelming feedback. One passer-by said: ‘This is too beautiful for Gelsenkirchen-Bismarck’. Sponk replied: ‘This is exactly what our homeland needs to increase the happiness of society.’ The picture is accepted by the community and has remained intact to this day.

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