Meet the Glasgow-born Hungarian artist behind the COP26 murals in Govanhill, Partick and Battlefield

Daniel Rupazow, 25, from Budapest, is a multi-disciplinary artist focusing on environmental issues.

He is the creative behind the artworks that popped up on Locavore’s Partick and Govanhill shops, as well as Battlefield Primary. 

Besides painting murals, he also works as a tattoo artist, music event organiser, and installation maker and co-directs the Artivist Network, a group of creatives bringing together art and climate activism. 

The collective has been attending COPs for years and setting up art spaces local activists can use to create material for their actions.

Daniel takes every occasion to paint murals during the negotiations, and he didn’t fail to deliver in Glasgow. 

“It is a great way to leave something permanent for the city to remember that something important has happened here,” he said. 

READ MORE: Homeless charity residents save items from landfill this Christmas

“I believe art in the streets can affect the way people live their everyday life, and also something thought-provoking can lead to them becoming more aware or interested in the message the art carries.

“It can start a conversation between people and question why there is so much corporate advertisement around them, instead of art or alternatives to make public space accessible and inspiring for the people living in the area.”

Each mural focuses on a different aspect of climate change. 

One, on Dumbarton Road, depicts a frontline climate activist from Malaysia, who raises awareness of plastic pollution. 

“I wanted to convey that it is not enough to recycle, we need to reduce waste at the source.

“This means governments should step up against corporations who are manufacturing waste and bring in more regulations instead of expecting everyday people to tackle the issue.”

The Victoria Road painting deals with sustainable use of land and ties in with Locavore’s effort to produce local, seasonal food.

“We need to take care of the Earth and support more local businesses like this, while fighting the capitalist system,” added Daniel.

The third mural was created in collaboration with Battlefield’s Our Lane Project, aimed at restoring lanes for public use. 

It contains symbols that Daniels says would be instantly recognisable for pupils in the nearby primary school, like the threatened lemur often depicted in cartoons, as well as plants growing over smoke-spitting chimneys. 

He said: “I felt that in this context it was important to make something with a simple message, as a lot of children will see this on a daily basis.

“I felt this was simple enough for young kids to understand, because if we don’t act now, their favourite little animals will be gone and they won’t be able to see them in real life.”

READ MORE: The future of Glasgow libraries will rely on long-term funding

Daniel, who is of Scottish descent through his mother, regularly visits his birth-city.

“I have always been in love with the architecture, great projects, outstanding art and music scene so I was sure it would be exciting to have the COP be hosted here.”

You can follow Daniel’s work on Instagram, at @daniel_floxx, and keep up to date with the Artivist Network at their website http://www.artivistnetwork.org/