Shine Mural Link

About BASK

Based out of: St. Petersburg, Florida

Fleeing communist Czechoslovakia as a young child and growing up under the hot Florida sun, Ales Bask Hostomsky took an early interest in graffiti art.

Now a prolific artist with work in galleries across the country, BASK’s art covers walls from Detroit to Brooklyn to St. Petersburg, and can be seen in the movie, Iron Man 3.

With no formal arts education, no textbook technique to rely on, BASK built a career by leaning into his mistakes. In the same way Miles Davis would purposely bend or crack a note on the trumpet, BASK has learned to harness each drop of paint, accidental or not, as a form of artistic risk-taking. He prefers a less calculated method; starting with just an idea in his mind, culminating in complex paint layers with organic textures and minimal color palettes. Exploration and innovation are key.

Artist Statement

The importance of supporting marine science and exploration is greater than ever. The oceans are the life-support system of our planet; yet, we have explored less than 5% of our seas. Jacques Cousteau famously said ‘people protect what they love and we love what we understand.

About the Mural

St. Petersburg artist Ales “BASK” Hostomsky’s mural is on the topic of algae blooms. BASK returns after painting a SHINE mural in 2015, our first year.
The artist’s work is immediately recognizable for its rich textures and “anti-iconic” imagery inspired by the similarities between communist propaganda and American consumerism.
BASK’s work has been featured in galleries nationwide and in the blockbuster movie Iron Man 3.