More than anything, Yoyo’s enthusiasm for life is reflected in his work. Through Yoyo’s murals, paintings, and illustration, we are shown that life is a journey that can meander down many roads; roads of joy and sorrow, justice and injustice, fear and courage; and along these roads, Yoyo has created two companions to follow along – the Crane and the Character.

As the evening went on, I noticed the audience that had arrived. It was the who’s who of Yoyo’s fans: his mother, father and siblings, his partner Kristin and her family, including the shrewd art hawker Anne Margaret. Yoyo’s moped gang and security force, the Paddle Jets were also mingling. Terry Kearns.

The music was kinetic, and I recalled late nights and early mornings in Berlin shepherded by DJ.de. The crowd moved, the room perspired, there was sweat on the walls.

I left Atlanta uplifted, hoping to maintain this newfound feeling of positivity for as long as possible. Turtleneck and I gripped ourselves as we flew back north.

-David Bellé aka David Bell (fake NYC art critic from Reynoldstown, Atlanta… LOL)

For all photos from the opening night, click:

Photos by Anmarie Smith.

FOR ALL ARTWORKS FROM THE COLOR-FULL SERIES, click:

Yoyo Ferro (b. 1986) is an Atlanta-based street artist originally from the countryside of São Paulo, Brazil. Yoyo is known for his dozens of colorful abstract murals, paintings, and illustrations, depicting emotional situations lived by his characters and the tridimensional aspect of the origami, always present in his studio works.

Winner of the “Catalyst Award” for social discourse by ArtsATL 2018 Luminary Awards, for successful efforts in a lawsuit that halted mural regulations in the City of Atlanta leading to a more free and prolific local street art and murals scene.