Undercover Interview With Italian Artist Blub

written by Tiana Kai
Blub Lady and ermine street art in Florence

There is a new sensation in town and the street art in Florence is flourishing. Italian icons like Dante and Botticelli’s Venus—even Amy Winehouse portraits—are filling our alleys wearing scuba masks as they calmly swim deep down underwater. Who is this artist people ask and what does it mean?

I’m here to share some secrets because first of all this artist likes to remain anonymous. One can never be too sure what gender Blub is, how tall Blub is or what Blub even sounds like.

The cool thing about this is that I may have had an aperitivo next to Blub and not even known it. So, let’s get on with the interview about one of my favorite street artists in Florence!

*Don’t miss a sit-down interview with Clet!

Interview with Blub, the artist behind the iconic street art in Florence

David under water, street art in Florence by Blub

David shot by Giulia Ferro

Street art in Florence of Dante by Blub artist

Dante shot by Sandra Panerai

Even though readers would love to know who you are, I must respect your wish to remain anonymous within the streets of Italy and on the web. Many people may guess what your work, L’arte sa nuotare, means and to me I feel like it can be a simple sense of joy, of transforming the past into a whimsical and playful filter of bubbles into the deep blue sea. However, I get the sense that there is a deeper side, perhaps one relating to how things—as in the economy—are under water?

1. What does your “L’arte sa nuotare” work really reflect?

I like for people to have their own interpretation of what the scuba masks on these icons mean. For me, I had a vision. Before I paint I normally rely on these visions that appear in my mind. I perform instinctively, which creates the best art. Then maybe I think about the piece and things can further materialize from there.

L’arte sa nuotare, meaning art knows how to swim, is about two ways one can live life, like eros and love or life and death. We can choose to be stuck with fear due to the crisis or we can choose to take it as an opportunity to overcome our limitations while being confidence in the future and in our potential. So, even though it seems like we are all underwater it is time to learn how to swim!

Renaissance art in Florence is still strong and hides today’s art that is alive and contemporary, so by using icons of the past with diving masks the theme presents a mix between the past and the contemporary world. There is no need to deny the past in order to look at the present, but at least acknowledge it.

2. What makes you happy about the art you create?

What makes me happiest is when I see thank you notes from shop owners after I stick prints up in front of their shops or doorways. I also love when I overhear people say “Blub makes people smile”. Sometimes I see tape on my art from people trying to preserve it or fix it if it was torn, it is nice to see strangers trying to ensure the work remains intact.

Duke and Duchess of Urbino street art in Florence

The Duke and Duchess of Urbino shot by Federico Bottari

Street art in Florence Blub

Leonardo da Vinci in Florence

3. When and where was the first street art you completed?

In Spain a year ago.

4. Can you share a little about your past? I have read that you are from Florence, do you still live within the beautiful Florentine streets?

All I can say about my past is that I am from Florence. I still live in Florence, but I travel quite often.

5. I’m sure you can’t give too much about your past away to the readers, you never know who’s reading this! What are three places in Florence that you think everyone should visit?

Only three places? I like San Niccolò and the streets that lead up to Piazzale Michelangelo. Downtown Florence and the hills surrounding it are rare sights, but I also like San Frediano and Santo Spirito.

6. I see you have work displayed at Cappelleschi Gallery in Belgium with some other favorite street artists: Clet, Exit/Enter and UrbanSolid. Do you sell your work directly to fans or would I have to purchase a piece from the gallery?

I am displaying my art at Cappelleschi Gallery in Belgium, which is carrying original pieces so in Florence I can sell prints like the ones you see on the streets. You can buy my prints at Via San Niccolò, 44/r.

Botticelli's Venus graffiti in Florence

Botticelli’s Venus shot by Ianny’s Eyes

Amy Winehouse graffiti in Florence

Amy Winehouse shot by Blub

7. Do your friends know what you do or do you try to limit the amount of people who know your true identity? Has it been easy?

Only a few friends know it’s me. For now it has been easy to remain anonymous. I prefer to remain anonymous; I feel more at ease and my instincts tell me to keep my identity anonymous for now.

8. Would you be willing to invite me on a night out when you’re installing your art? 😉

You want to stick art up around the city with me? If and when I am no longer anonymous I will call you!

Have you seen Blub’s work before? Follow Blub on Instagram and Facebook

I hope you learned more about the street art in Florence, so please share this post and pin those pics!

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23 comments

Nathalie December 9, 2014 at 3:22 pm

Collected a few Roman pieces (around Piazza Navona) a few months ago (on Instagram)

Reply
Tiana Kai December 9, 2014 at 3:36 pm

Cool Nathalie, I read that Blub was in Rome this Spring. I want a print for my house!

Reply
Underground Street Art in Florence | Life in It... December 9, 2014 at 3:31 pm

[…] Interview with the up and coming artist, Blub who has been contributing to the amazing street art in Florence. The Florentine artist is anonymous, so read and see if you may know how it is.  […]

Reply
Susan December 9, 2014 at 8:25 pm

One of my favorite posts from you! I’ve always wondered the story and background of these amazing pictures wandering the streets of Florence!
Thank you! Susan Roberts

Reply
Tiana Kai December 10, 2014 at 2:21 am

Thanks Susan, so glad you enjoyed this interview. I have loved Blub’s work since I first saw it and as soon as I heard the artist wanted to remain anonymous I thought “I have to set up an interview!”

Reply
Susan December 10, 2014 at 4:29 am

Fingers crossed that one night you get to be a secret agent assistant masterpiece hanger!

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Tiana Kai December 10, 2014 at 9:45 am

Yes, fingers are crossed!

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Becky Padmore December 10, 2014 at 11:23 pm

I haven’t seen them myself but what interesting art and story! Great post!

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Tiana Kai December 11, 2014 at 10:57 am

They are so much fun Becky, Blub is branching out so be on the look out!

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Ahtziri Lagarde December 14, 2014 at 3:43 pm

Very cool!

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Tiana Kai December 15, 2014 at 12:51 am

Thanks, nice seeing you here!

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Giovanni October 9, 2017 at 10:56 am

Wow, we peeled one off of a wall in Florence 3 years ago and it is hanging in our home, framed for eternity.

Reply
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Dennis S. Pearce July 9, 2019 at 1:54 pm

I struggle to choose between my love of the masters and these new pieces by BLUB. This reinterpretation/reconnecting of old with new is purely enchanting and such a burst of hopeful joy that it’s easy to feel uplifted each time I discover a new one. Our family is visiting Florence for the first time from Seattle and the chance encounters with each piece make me smile every time. Thank you for creating and sharing.

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Tiana Kai August 21, 2019 at 11:33 pm

Hi Dennis, I like “hopeful joy” – you’re right. I hope you had or will have an amazing time abroad this summer. Don’t forget to also be on the lookout for Clet’s work. Clet’s a French artist who has called Florence home for many years. Here’s my interview with him at the Gucci coffeeshop http://tianakai.com/2015/01/clet-abraham-french-artist-in-florence

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Bella November 8, 2019 at 9:33 pm

I love this interview. Is there a way to contact the artist to procure one of the originals?

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Tiana Kai January 6, 2020 at 9:22 pm

Bella, you can contact Blub here la************@gm***.com

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Prankita April 3, 2020 at 10:01 am

Hi, I visited Florence last April and before I travelled I went through as many blogs and posts I could. It was during that that I came across an article that mentioned BLUB, his paintings and how one can find a painting in a corner. So, when I was in Florence I walked up to Piazzale Michelangelo and to my utter disbelief found 18 of his art work. I was so excited and then view of the city from Piazzale added to the moment. His art is beautiful and so is the thought behind it.

Reply
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