Catalan urban artist Slim Safont brings his global murals home to Berga with a new exhibition opening on December 13, 2025. The show features works from 18 countries and highlights his journey from local graffiti to international fame.
From Berga Streets to World Walls
Slim Safont, born Nil Safont in 1995, grew up in Berga, a town in northern Catalonia. He started painting at age 12, diving into urban art and graffiti on local streets.
His passion led to a Fine Arts degree from the University of Barcelona. By 2017, he joined major street art festivals across Europe and beyond.
Safont co-founded Malpais, an artistic space in Barcelona that hosts exhibitions and pushes contemporary art boundaries. This hub has helped him connect with global creators.
Today, his murals grace walls in places like Ireland, Scotland, Portugal, the United States, Russia, and Sweden. Each piece tells stories tied to local communities.
Exhibition Highlights Global Journey
The exhibition, titled “A Tale to be Told,” opens at the Convent de Sant Francesc in Berga. It runs from December 13, 2025, to March 1, 2026, marking his first solo show in Catalonia.
Visitors can see 45 pieces, including photos, paintings, and sketches from projects in 18 countries. Safont aims to share the stories behind each work.
Berga City Council backs the event to spotlight local talent with global reach. Councilor Isaac Santiago calls it a chance to celebrate young artists making waves worldwide.
The show draws crowds eager to see how Safont blends personal photos with massive murals. It ties into Catalonia’s vibrant street art scene, boosted by events like Barcelona’s recent light festival.
Here are key features of the exhibition:
- Interactive displays explaining mural creation processes
- Photos from trips to remote locations like rural Russia
- Sketches showing evolution from idea to finished wall art
- Talks by Safont on urban art’s role in community building
Creative Process and Key Moments
Safont’s method starts with talking to locals at each site. He captures photos of people, landscapes, and daily life to inspire his paintings.
He focuses on themes like youth, childhood, and adolescence, mixed with striking visuals of colors and light. This approach began after he ditched online images for his own shots.
A turning point came during a U.S. trip, where he painted four murals in a month. It sharpened his skills and boosted his confidence.
Another highlight was a 60-meter mural in Russia, which gained massive attention. These experiences shaped his style, blending realism with street energy.
Safont recently worked on a large oil painting for a Sotheby’s and Burning Man collaboration, auctioned in New York. This project shows his shift toward gallery art while staying true to urban roots.
Impact on Berga and Beyond
The exhibition puts Berga on the map as a hub for emerging artists. Locals see it as pride in one of their own reaching international stages.
It aligns with trends in urban art, like Scotland’s Nnena Kalu winning the 2025 Turner Prize for similar large-scale works. Catalonia’s festivals, such as La Patum in Berga, add cultural buzz.
Safont hopes the show inspires young creators. He plans more global projects, including potential murals in Asia next year.
This event solves a common issue for art fans: accessing international works locally. It entertains with vivid stories and informs on mural techniques.
| Milestone | Year | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Started Graffiti | 2007 | Began painting on Berga streets at age 12 | Berga, Catalonia |
| Fine Arts Degree | 2017 | Graduated from University of Barcelona | Barcelona, Spain |
| First Major Festival | 2017 | Joined international street art events | Various countries |
| U.S. Murals | 2020 | Painted four murals in one month | United States |
| Russia Project | 2022 | Created 60-meter mural with big impact | Russia |
| Sotheby’s Collaboration | 2025 | Large oil painting auctioned | New York, USA |
| Berga Exhibition | 2025 | First solo show in Catalonia | Berga, Catalonia |
Future Plans and Community Ties
Safont remains tied to his roots, using Berga as a base for new ideas. He sees urban art as a way to connect people across borders.
Looking ahead, he eyes collaborations in emerging markets like Latin America. The exhibition could lead to more local events, boosting tourism.
Art lovers find value in understanding how global trends shape small towns. It entertains with behind-the-scenes tales and informs on cultural shifts.
Share your thoughts on Slim Safont’s work in the comments below. If this story inspired you, pass it along to fellow art fans.
