Zebu: the Berlin-based duo brightening up your day

Berlin-based illustration and art duo Zebu are cheering up the every day, one mural painting at a time. Since we featured them back in 2015, the studio has changed its name and developed its highly energetic work, characterised by its bright but intelligent use of colour. Nowhere better can this be seen than in the pair’s murals, which span entire walls, and in installations such as Procrastination. Zebu say of Procrastination: “We installed a mini-exhibition at the Vitrine 01 on the platform of [Berlin subway station] Birkenstrasse. In the busy environment of the Berlin subway system, we created a temple that celebrates the act of procrastination.”

“Two brains work better than one,” Zebu tell It’s Nice That. “When we work together we can combine the good aspects of both our ideas and we can make faster decisions. Also drawing together is enriching our graphic vocabulary since you have react to the lines of the other person. This way we can develop a visual language which we couldn’t archive when we work solo.”

Although much of Zebu’s work is created for very public consumption, the duo’s portfolio also spans more intimate outlets like handmade screenprints, illustrations, a book and zines. In these forms, Zebu’s ability to create visually balance can be explored to full effect. The organic curves of Zebu’s characters are broken up by boldly intersecting lines and repeating patterns, while elongated limbs cleverly lead the eye across the entire surface, letting the viewer engage fully with each image. “We like to experiment with different materials and techniques to always surprise ourselves,” the pair say. “In the last few years, screen printing small editions and zines was a big part of our work, and lately we got inspired to work on originals using acrylic paints. Since we grew up in the graffiti culture, we still have a passion for working on walls and surfaces in public space. Working on a mural is a welcome variety to the daily illustrator-life in the studio: painting a large scale requires the use of your whole body, not just your hand. And the best thing is you can be outside!”