Abandoned buildings are quite common in cities. They sit there having no use to them and usually are not that appealing to the eye. In the city of Arkansas (USA), there is one old building like that – a gas station. It’s located at the main intersection of Grand Avenue and 11th Street, an abandoned place that’s not working, but is soon to become the most colorful and coolest building in the area.

More info: Instagram | camillewalala.com | justkidsofficial.com

The gas station before renovations began

Image credits: camillewalala

The hard work starts

Image credits: camillewalala

The London based French artist Camille Walala decided she would revive the building built in the 1950s. With the help of Fort Smith’s community, the collaboration of local artist Nate Meyers (Buffalo) and the curation by the global creative house Justkids, she created an amazing urban art project, in the graphic art style of eclectic tribal pop. She managed to make the abandoned building stand out, by using geometrical shapes, stripes, and bright colors. Camille was inspired by her travels, tribal elements, and the Memphis movement, she managed to transform an old, forgotten building into an eye-catching piece of street art in just one week.

Image credits: camillewalala

Image credits: Justkids

Image credits: camillewalala

Justkids curated the project, managed the production and development. They help many abandoned buildings get a new life. On their site, they explain about themselves: “Justkids is a global creative house that conceives, curates and produces comprehensive art projects on an international scale with some of the most engaging artists, curators, and strategic consultants”. Justkids was founded in 2014 by a French-American art curator Charlotte Dutoit. The enterprise supports upcoming talents and helps them meet the demands of a constantly evolving audience. They offer many services like cultural development and placemaking, art curation and production, brand collaborations and content creation.

Image credits: camillewalala

Image credits: Justkids

Image credits: Justkids

On their website, Justkids explain why they invited Camille to do this project and tell us more about the vision of the colorful art project:
“Justkids invited Camille Walala to The Unexpected for the first time; taking overall dimensions of a 1950’s neglected service station at the main intersection of Grand Avenue and 11th street. Marking the welcoming entrance of Downtown Fort Smith, Walala Pump & Go gas station features the French artist eclectic trademark tribal pop style of vibrant geometric color patterns that highlight existing elements with a dynamic brio.”

Image credits: Justkids

The hard work is finally done and the gas station looks amazing

Image credits: camillewalala

Image credits: Justkids

On her website, Camille explains more about herself, what inspired her and what her goals are. She mentions that she is a person who spreads positivity, through vibrant, colorful paintings and bold patterns. Her goal is to stimulate the senses and inspire joy.
Camille graduated in textile design from the University of Brighton, she created her namesake brand in London in 2009 and lives and works there to this day. She has traveled around the world with her work, gathering important experience. She transformed homes, workspaces in her signature style. She noticed that her work translates really well onto larger surfaces and installations, so she is now working on a bigger and greater scale than ever before, with the goal to renovate the world’s urban landscapes with her unique style and work.

Image credits: camillewalala

Image credits: camillewalala

Image credits: camillewalala

Image credits: camillewalala

Image credits: Justkids

Image credits: camillewalala

Image credits: Justkids

The amazing team and Camille herself in the bottom right corner

Image credits: Justkids

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