Artist completes Estonia’s largest spray-painted mural in Tallinn

Estonia’s largest spray-painted mural has been completed in Tallinn’s Ülemiste district, ERR reported. The work covers nearly 5,000 square metres and was created by artist Silver “Sboy” Seeblum.

The project began with cleaning and roughening a large, grey factory wall before it was painted white with primer and the mural’s outlines were drawn. Seeblum said the background took two months to paint, while the figure, stones and box took another month.

The mural required more than 2,000 hours of work, or just over six months, and about 3,000 litres of paint, most of it dark green spray paint. Seeblum said he had to paint the upper sections first because dust and paint could fall onto the parts below. Working at height became routine over time, he added.

The mural’s idea and design are Seeblum’s own. It can also be seen by air travellers departing from Tallinn, with the best view toward Lake Ülemiste. Seeblum said the work is a few hundred square metres smaller than Europe’s largest mural, and that there is room on the roof to extend it. Two factory walls have already been joined by the mural, which also features the familiar girl with a red umbrella.

According to legend, the Old Man of Ülemiste asks each year whether Tallinn is finished. The answer must be no, or he will flood the city.