*N/A, Fitzroy (Australia), lives and works in London (UK).
Known for his photo realism graffiti work, Smug, or Smug One, aka Sam Bates, is an Australian contemporary street artist of great skill. Using nothing but spray cans, he was able to gain mastery over a difficult task of making highly technical pieces that are somehow edgy, cheeky, and incredibly playful.
In order to recreate absolute realism, artists usually have a lot of time on their hands, tiny and precise brushes, and a quiet work space where no one will disturb them.
Those are the three things that none of the graffiti writers have at their disposal, and yet, some of them, Smug being the perfect example, are able to create amazing large-scale wall pieces that look like they could be photographs. There is hardly a compliment of greater significance for any artist attempting to work in photo realism.
