Best of 2025 nominee: introducing PAUL WATTY
2025 was a defining year for Tilburg‑based muralist Paul Watty, and his nomination for Street Art Cities’ Best of 2025 feels like the natural next step in his journey;
His nominated work, The Frog, created in the Kruidenbuurt neighborhood, is more than a striking piece of realism, it’s a symbol of how art can restore pride in places that deserve to be seen.
The mural builds on the momentum of Watty’s earlier work, The Bee, which finished in the global Top 10 of 2024. That piece sparked curiosity among residents, and the response was so strong that the neighborhood asked for more color. The Frog became the answer. Rooted in Tilburg’s focus on biodiversity and TBV Wonen’s mission to connect neighbors, the mural reflects the nearby Wandelbos forest, where frogs are part of the local ecosystem.
For Watty, the impact went far beyond the wall. Seeing a community embrace his work ,and ask for more, reaffirmed his belief that urban art is shifting toward connection, emotion, and shared ownership. In a digital world, repetition and imitation don’t bother him; they signal resonance.
Looking ahead, Watty describes the past year as “overwhelming in the best possible way.” 2026, he says, will be about intention: more collaboration, more color, and more pride for communities ready to reclaim their narrative.
His nomination isn’t just a milestone, it’s a testament to what happens when art and community grow together.
ABOUT PAUL WATTY
Paul Watty is a Dutch multidisciplinary creative whose work blends family history, Asian heritage, and the street culture he grew up in. Influenced by generational war trauma and shaped by graffiti and skateboarding, he transforms discarded materials into art exploring resilience, connection, and the hidden beauty within what others overlook. Read more about him on Street Art Cites.
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