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
More: 23 Amazing 3D Murals by CHEONE!
Which one is your favorite?
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They are so beautiful and amazing.
These 3D murals are my favorite! I love 3D! It affects ones state of balance as well as being such an optical illusion!
My goodness! These 3Ds would make me dizzy! WOW such great talent! I love them all!