Under the Roof – Rustam Qbic Mural

A Poetic Vision of Nature and Shelter

Under the Roof stands as a testament to the power of contemporary street art to transform urban spaces into galleries of meaning and emotion. Created in 2018 by Russian artist Rustam Qbic, this mural painting occupies a prominent position on Abildgaardsvej in Helsingør, Denmark. The composition presents a young man immersed in a field of sunflowers that have metamorphosed into architectural form—a house that shelters and protects. Above his head, the figure holds a book, a symbol of knowledge, wisdom, and intellectual refuge. The layering of these elements creates a rich visual narrative that invites contemplation of how nature, shelter, and learning intertwine in human experience.

Artistic Technique and Visual Language

Qbic's approach to the mural demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of illustrative and poetic visual storytelling. Rather than employing photorealism or abstract expressionism, the artist has chosen a narrative style that feels both accessible and deeply personal. The sunflowers, rendered with careful attention to botanical detail, gradually dissolve into architectural elements, blurring the boundary between the organic and the constructed. This visual transformation occurs seamlessly across the mural's surface, inviting viewers to experience the moment where nature becomes human shelter. The color palette emphasizes warm, earthy tones that evoke both the golden hues of sunflowers and the warmth of domestic spaces, creating an emotional resonance that extends beyond the purely visual.

Context Within Helsingør's Street Art Movement

Under the Roof exists as part of a broader initiative by Kunst & Byrum, an organization dedicated to bringing international street art and public art to Helsingør. The city has become a canvas for artists from around the world, each contributing their unique perspective to the urban landscape. Helsingør's commitment to public art reflects a recognition that street murals can serve as cultural ambassadors, transforming ordinary walls into spaces of dialogue and reflection. The mural's placement on Abildgaardsvej positions it within the northwest section of the city, where it engages with the local community and contributes to the area's visual identity. The work was created specifically in response to the artist's impression of this particular neighborhood, making it deeply rooted in place even as it speaks to universal human experiences.

Symbolism and Thematic Resonance

The imagery of Under the Roof operates on multiple symbolic levels. The sunflower, traditionally associated with vitality, growth, and the pursuit of light, becomes in Qbic's interpretation a metaphor for human aspiration and transformation. The conversion of these flowers into a house speaks to the human need for shelter and security, while the book held aloft suggests that knowledge and imagination provide their own form of protection and refuge. Together, these elements create a meditation on how we construct meaning and safety from the natural world around us. The young man at the center of the composition becomes a universal figure—neither specifically Danish nor Russian, but a representation of human vulnerability and resilience in the face of an ever-changing world.

Integration with Urban Space

As a public artwork, Under the Roof functions as more than decoration; it serves as a focal point for community engagement and aesthetic experience. The mural's scale and visibility make it impossible to ignore, yet its contemplative subject matter invites prolonged viewing and personal interpretation. Passersby encounter the work at different times of day and in varying weather conditions, each moment revealing new aspects of the composition as light and shadow play across the painted surface. The artwork thus becomes a living element of the urban environment, constantly renewing its dialogue with viewers and the city itself. Its presence on Abildgaardsvej transforms the street into a cultural destination, drawing visitors interested in contemporary art and urban creativity.