These 3D Street Art Murals by Shozy Look Like Glitches in Real Life
Born in Moscow, Danila Shmelev—better known as Shozy—has spent over two decades bending urban reality with paint. After studying at the Moscow Institute of Art & Industrial and training in classical techniques, he took his graffiti roots into the third dimension. Today, Shozy is best known for his striking 3D street art, where illusions of melted balconies, floating cubes, and warped towers appear on residential blocks from France to the Arctic Circle.
This post showcases six of his most compelling works: a wave crashing down a Soviet facade in Balashikha, a mirrored distortion in Paris, and a mesmerizing mural above the Arctic Circle in Salekhard, among others. From large-scale murals at international street art festivals to conceptual studio work, Shozy continues to explore light, volume, and realism in ways that stop people in their tracks.
Let’s take a closer look at how he’s reshaping cityscapes with nothing but illusion.
More: 14 Street Art 3D Masterpieces You Won’t Believe Are Real
The Wave Is Coming – Balashikha, Russia
This towering mural creates the illusion of a wave of balconies melting and crashing through the facade. The soft curves and distorted lines make the rigid architecture appear liquid and unstable, transforming the building into a sculptural cascade.
More photos and about: “The Wave Is Coming” by Shozy in Balashikha, Russia
Melted Facade – Paris, France
Painted on a tall residential block, this mural creates a mind-bending mirrored distortion that appears to collapse the middle of the building inward. Framed by a bold red outline, it manipulates light and geometry to make the wall ripple like a heatwave.
More photos and about: 3D Mural by Shozy in Paris, France
Anamorphic Mural – Solnechnogorsk, Russia
Part of the International Mural Festival in Solnechnogorsk, this illusion uses sharp angles and cubes to mimic balconies protruding into space. The effect plays with depth and shadow, creating fake extensions that seamlessly integrate into the building’s original layout.
More photos and about: Stunning Optical Illusion Mural by Shozy Changes the Way You See Street Art
Impossible Geometry – Salekhard, Russia
Located above the Arctic Circle, this mural plays with Escher-like geometry, appearing to remove parts of the building while extending impossible window boxes. Painted across a warm-toned facade, the illusion challenges viewers’ perception of dimension.
More photos and about: “Arctic circle house” by Shozy in Salekhard, Russia
Code of the Mountains – Derbent, Russia
On the wall of a residential building in Derbent, Shozy painted a symmetrical, abstract form inspired by local patterns and cosmic motifs. The soft gradient gives the illusion of depth, making the artwork appear like a three-dimensional glowing portal.
More photos and about: Mural by Shozy at in Derbent, Russia
Shozy’s urban illusions turn functional housing blocks into impossible architectural puzzles. These works demonstrate how street art can reshape familiar environments without a single brick being moved. Whether it’s a melting facade or a floating cube, Shozy invites us to reimagine what walls can be.
More: 23 Amazing 3D Murals by CHEONE!
Which one is your favorite?
14 Street Art 3D Masterpieces You Won't Believe Are Real - STREET ART UTOPIA
Get ready to be mesmerized by the fascinating world of 3D street art! In today’s blog post, we’ll delve into the mind-bending realm of anamorphic masterpieces, as we explore how these optical illusions are created and what makes them so captivating.Vidar (Street Art Utopia)
12 Brilliant Bird Murals That Bring Nature to the Streets
From intimate close-ups to massive architectural takeovers, this collection of bird-themed street art captures the elegance, mystery, and bold presence of birds across the globe.
You’ll find photorealistic falcons, surreal cranes, oversized parrots, and delicate wrens brought to life on city walls—each mural a tribute to avian beauty and the artists who transform urban landscapes with their feathers and color. Locations range from the Netherlands and Morocco to France and Australia, each mural offering a unique interpretation of nature through public art.More birds!: 8 Beautiful Artworks That Seem to Grow From Nature
Daniel Mac Lloyd’s mural in Heerlen, Netherlands
Two vibrant blue parrots embrace in a strikingly intimate pose, filling the entire side of a house. Painted with rich blues and bursts of orange, the feathers look almost fluid—blending realism with a painterly splash technique that gives motion and emotion to the birds.
Geoffrey Carran’s mural in Carlton North, Melbourne, Australia
A vibrant superb fairywren perches on a blooming branch of pink flowers, painted on a sleek gray wall. The contrast of the soft blossoms and the vivid blue plumage creates a delicate and cheerful composition full of spring energy.
Alegría del Prado’s mural in Rabat, Morocco
A regal falcon with floral plumage and textile patterns adorns a white building in Rabat. The intricate design blends feathers with decorative motifs, transforming the raptor into a symbolic and cultural tapestry.
Curtis Hylton’s mural in Nykvarn, Sweden
A majestic osprey emerges from a composition of large cream-colored roses and golden shells, with two chicks nestled below. The hyperrealism and symbolic floral fusion create a visual story of protection and grace.
Vadim Mezzo’s mural in Rostov-on-Don, Russia
Two elegant herons stand side by side in front of a stylized pink sunset and pine tree silhouettes. The mural is geometric yet soft, creating a tranquil lake scene with a graphic, poster-like quality.
A-MO’s mural in Bordeaux, France
A kingfisher, perched on the corner of a building, bursts with color and texture. The dynamic brushwork mimics feathers in motion, and the location cleverly integrates the mural into urban flow.
WD (Wild Drawing)’s mural in Athens, Greece
An owl stares intensely from a historic building corner, its massive eyes framed by golden ornamental swirls. The illusion of depth and the realistic textures make it feel alive within the wall.
TUZQ’s mural in Mol, Belgium
A grey crowned crane stands regally with deep blue feathers and a shimmering gold crest. The dark background contrasts sharply with the vivid bird, adding theatrical lighting to this photorealistic piece.
Adele Renault’s mural in Stavelot, Belgium
A pigeon’s head dominates a multi-surfaced house, with textured roof tiles doubling as feathers. The gradient iridescence and scale of the piece give it a surreal monumentality.
L7m’s mural
A small bird bursts into motion with chaotic lines and neon shades of pink, orange, and black. L7m blends abstract graffiti with realism, creating a sense of explosive speed and urban energy.
Jan Is De Man’s mural in Vinkeveense Plassen, Netherlands
A photorealistic peacock appears to be walking off a brick wall and into nature. The illusionary depth and shimmering tail feathers spill across the path like a real bird mid-stride.
Mural by Carlos Alberto GH in Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico
A hyper-realistic 3D street art mural by Carlos Alberto GH in Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico, depicting a vibrant scarlet macaw in flight. The parrot’s red, blue, and yellow feathers are rendered with stunning precision, creating the illusion that the bird is emerging from the wall.More: When Street Art Meets Nature (40 Photos)
Which one is your favorite?
When Street Art Meets Nature (40 Photos) - STREET ART UTOPIA
When street art meets nature, the results are stunning. Some artists blend their murals seamlessly with the landscape, while others use real plants to bring their work to life.Vidar (Street Art Utopia)
