Francisco de Pájaro: Art Is Trash, Art Is Freedom
Francisco de Pájaro, better known by his alter ego Art Is Trash, is a street artist based in Barcelona whose work blends satire, improvisation, and a deep social conscience. Known for transforming everyday garbage into expressive sculptures and painting whimsical figures on city walls and doors, his art is as playful as it is provocative. With every piece, he questions authority, challenges societal norms, and injects a spark of rebellion into the urban landscape.
I first encountered de Pájaro’s creations in 2013, wandering through Barcelona’s El Raval neighborhood. His characters seemed to pop up around every corner, greeting me like strange, mischievous guides. Now, years later, I catch up with the artist in New York City, where he’s wrapping up a three-month residency packed with spontaneous installations and vibrant, one-of-a-kind paintings.
TheDustyRebel: Why did you choose the street as your canvas?
Francisco de Pájaro: It wasn’t a choice at first — it was a necessity. The galleries in Barcelona wouldn’t let me in. I had no financial means and nowhere else to go. The street gave me infinite possibilities. Trash became my medium because I didn’t have to maintain or sell it. I could paint, leave it behind, and move on. That freedom — that’s what the street offers.
TheDustyRebel: How long have you been turning trash into art?
Francisco de Pájaro: It’s been nearly five years now.
TheDustyRebel: Walk me through your creative process. How much is planned, and how much is spontaneous?
Francisco de Pájaro: I rely entirely on instinct and improvisation. My work is rooted in something primal — like cave paintings. It’s a raw reaction to what I see, what I remember, what I feel. Painting directly on any surface connects me to something ancient and essential. It makes me a child of nature.
TheDustyRebel: Have people ever gotten angry at you for using their trash?
Francisco de Pájaro: Rarely. Most people don’t mind — though there are always exceptions. Some just don’t understand what I’m doing and assume it’s criminal. But painting the streets should never be a crime.
TheDustyRebel: You often walk away immediately after finishing a piece. Why? Don’t you want to see people’s reactions?
Francisco de Pájaro: No, I leave so I don’t get attached. That’s the point — to let it go. Watching reactions feels self-indulgent. The art is for the street, not for me to stand beside it.
TheDustyRebel: Your work often appears whimsical, but there are strong political undercurrents. How important is politics to your message?
Francisco de Pájaro: It’s everywhere in my work. But people ignore it — just like they ignore the problems in their own lives. Most people are too comfortable in their bubble, thinking, “My life is fine, who cares about the rest?” I use trash to reflect human tragedy. I paint our absurdities, our selfishness, our mess.
TheDustyRebel: You sometimes use Native American imagery. What’s behind that?
Francisco de Pájaro: It started with Hollywood’s lies. As a kid, I never believed Native Americans were the villains. Later, I learned the conquest of the Americas — especially by Spaniards from my own region, Extremadura — was glorified in school, but it was brutal. I feel a deep connection to indigenous philosophies, their respect for nature, their spirit. We’re destroying the Earth. My art tries to remind us: we’re all children of nature, and we all have a duty to defend it.
TheDustyRebel: What brought you to New York?
Francisco de Pájaro: Garbage brought me here — and the need to keep expressing myself. I travel to leave messages behind.
TheDustyRebel: How does New York compare to Barcelona, especially for street artists?
Francisco de Pájaro: The biggest difference? The police. In Barcelona, painting on trash is forbidden. Here, it’s allowed — but even then, I was recently harassed by three officers. They threatened to detain me and illegally took my photo. That kind of authority abuse is exactly what I fight with my art. In a world full of lambs, there are too many wolves.
TheDustyRebel: What about compared to London?
Francisco de Pájaro: London is different. There are dedicated spaces, like Brick Lane, where artists are welcome. Once-abandoned areas are now filled with life because of street art. There’s more respect for the culture.
TheDustyRebel: Has NYC influenced your style?
Francisco de Pájaro: My way of painting is instinctual — it comes from within. I don’t think this city has changed that. And I hope I never start doing paste-ups.
TheDustyRebel: What’s surprised you most about NYC’s street art and graffiti scenes?
Francisco de Pájaro: There’s a clear divide here. Street art is expressive and emotional — it communicates something. Graffiti, on the other hand, often feels aggressive and territorial, with little connection to artistic intent. That’s not just here — it’s the same everywhere. But what really surprises me is how few artists actually paint anymore. Most just paste printed images. There’s no soul in that. No human touch. I admire imperfections. I respect work done by hand — it carries life.
