A Visionary Beyond the Walls

Phlegm is not simply a street artist; he is a storyteller whose visual narratives unfold across crumbling walls and forgotten urban spaces. The Welsh-born, Sheffield-based muralist first honed his intricate illustrations in self-published comics, a medium that shaped his distinctive monochrome style. Today, his surreal cityscapes and enigmatic creatures grace walls from Toronto to Tunisia, transforming neglected environments into immersive dreamscapes.

A Monochrome Universe of Story and Structure

The meticulous world of Phlegm is one of labyrinthine castles, towering turrets, and staircases winding into the impossible. His elongated, ghostly figures—part-human, part-woodland spirit—populate these spaces like wandering myths. These monochrome illustrations, crafted with Indian ink and a dip pen, feel like pages from a forgotten folktale brought to life on a grand scale. Phlegm’s affinity for abandoned warehouses, industrial ruins, and derelict city corners suggests an urge to breathe life into the overlooked, each mural a whispered secret between the past and present.

In a world awash in technicolor, Phlegm’s choice to work solely in black and white is not a mere aesthetic decision; it is a statement of timelessness. His art demands that we look deeper, forcing us to discover the hidden beauty in forgotten places, encouraging viewers to connect with the space itself—transforming a mundane corner of a city into an extraordinary landscape of dreams.

From Comics to Colossal Canvases

While his roots lie in illustration, Phlegm’s transition to street art was seamless. His comic-book origins are evident in the detailed, sequential nature of his murals, where each scene feels like a fragment of a larger, evolving story. Unlike traditional graffiti artists, who often embrace bold color and typography, Phlegm opts for a restrained palette—his worlds emerge in the stark contrast of black and white, lending them an otherworldly timelessness.

Phlegm’s larger-than-life murals speak volumes about his artistic evolution. He has expanded beyond his comic book origins to create vast, sprawling works that fill entire walls. Each new piece feels like a chapter in a continuing saga, a narrative as expansive as the cities that host his work. His intricate lines and attention to detail elevate street art from mere decoration to storytelling on a monumental scale.

A Global Tapestry of Murals

Phlegm’s murals stretch across continents, embedding themselves into local cultures and cityscapes. Some of his most notable works include:

• Sheffield, UK (2019): Mausoleum of the Giants, an indoor installation of towering sculptures, drawing over 12,000 visitors.
• Toronto, Canada (2016): An eight-story-high mural, then considered the world’s tallest, towering over St. Clair West.
• Djerbahood, Tunisia (2014): A part of the legendary street art project transforming Erriadh into an open-air museum.
• Dunedin, New Zealand (2014): A strikingly detailed mural for the city’s Urban Art Festival.
• Fremantle, Australia (2015): A massive octopus unfurling across an old naval store building, reclaiming the architecture with its inky tendrils.

Each of these projects extends his artistic vision beyond Sheffield, creating a worldwide labyrinth where his creatures and structures find new homes. From industrial cities in Europe to vibrant cultural hubs in Africa, Phlegm’s work adapts to its environment while retaining the signature fantastical elements that have earned him a cult following.

The Art of Place and Presence

What sets Phlegm apart is not just his technique but his profound sensitivity to place. His art does not impose itself upon a space; it merges with it. Each mural feels as though it has always belonged, as if his intricate, fantastical narratives were simply waiting to be unveiled. His creations turn walls into windows—portals into realms where imagination reigns, and reality bends under the weight of dreamlike logic.

In every installation, Phlegm’s art becomes an integral part of its environment. Rather than merely decorating a wall, his murals engage with the architecture and history of the space. Phlegm’s murals invite contemplation, urging viewers to consider how urban landscapes are defined not just by their concrete but by the art that emerges from them.

The Lasting Echo of Phlegm’s World

Phlegm’s work is more than just visually striking; it is a meditation on storytelling, space, and the power of public art. His intricate, monochrome worlds invite viewers to lose themselves in the details, to step into a narrative woven between bricks and mortar. As cities grow increasingly digital, Phlegm’s art remains defiantly physical—etched into the landscape, defying ephemerality, and ensuring that even the most forgotten corners of our urban spaces hum with quiet, surreal wonder.

Phlegm’s art breathes life into overlooked places, providing both an escape and a deeper connection to the urban environments we inhabit. Whether gracing the walls of a forgotten factory or a bustling city square, his murals invite us to dream. His work is a celebration of the forgotten, the overlooked, and the potential for beauty in the most unexpected corners of our world.

With each mural, Phlegm crafts a visual language that transcends the typical boundaries of street art. His work is a testament to the power of public art in reclaiming forgotten spaces, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape that future generations will cherish. The stories he tells on these walls are not just his own but become part of the community, a reflection of the shared human experience, and a visual celebration of imagination’s boundless possibilities.