Kurt Wenner began street painting in Rome in 1982, and by 1984 was one of a few recognized Master Street Painters. Inspired by anamorphism, a technique used in frescoed ceilings to create the illusion of height, he devised a unique geometry that enabled him to bring his illusions to the horizontal surface of the street. This new art form, known as anamorphic, illusionistic, or simply 3-D street painting has become a worldwide phenomenon. Artists using this technique today can trace it back to Wenner's invention in the early 1980's. Wenner's work not only provides a unique opportunity for groups and individuals to witness fine art in the making, it also presents a chance to interact with an artist while he creates. His original masterpieces are made with richly colored handmade pastels. As he works, the classical figures and stories rise from the pavement to delight and astonish onlookers. Whether creating a work of fine art or the centerpiece of an advertising campaign, Wenner is a performing visual artist who turns the celebratory folk art of street painting into a spectacle. go to main page