Daniel Wrede has turned his childhood passion for drawing into a thriving career as a professional graffiti artist, transforming bland industrial buildings, pump stations, and even vehicles throughout the Grevesmühlen region of Germany with vibrant animal motifs and landscape scenes. Operating under the artistic pseudonym "Morpho Graffiti," the 40-year-old artist has spent over 18 years bringing color and life to previously uninspiring surfaces across northwestern Mecklenburg and beyond.
Wrede's artistic journey began in an unconventional way. Born in Wismar and having lived in Grevesmühlen for many years, he showed an early talent for drawing as a child. After completing an apprenticeship as a dental technician, he pursued studies in graphic design, where he discovered his love for graffiti art. His first major work was a large fox painted on the facade of a building at the former Raiffeisen AG facility on Börzower Weg in Grevesmühlen. "I simply had the desire to do it and asked if it would be possible," Wrede recalls of that pivotal moment.
That fox painting caught the attention of an employee from the Grevesmühlen utility company, leading to Wrede's first professional commission in 2008. The municipal company became his inaugural client, prompting him to establish himself as an independent artist. Since then, he has given numerous pump stations throughout the region colorful makeovers, adorning them with landscapes and various artistic motifs that transform utilitarian infrastructure into works of art.
The creative process involves far more work than most people realize, according to Wrede. "Many people don't see the work that goes into it," he explains. "It's not just about working with spray cans." Before any artistic work begins, surfaces must be carefully sanded down, properly primed, and painted with two to three base coats. Only after this extensive preparation does the actual spray can artistry take place, ensuring the longevity and quality of each piece.
Wrede's versatility as an artist is evident in the diverse range of projects he has completed. He has no particular preference for specific motifs, instead adapting his work to meet clients' wishes and visions. His portfolio includes vibrant animal paintings that brighten the interior spaces of kindergartens in Wahrsow and Plön in Schleswig-Holstein. Homeowners have commissioned him to decorate their facades with beach scenes featuring beach chairs and sand dunes, bringing coastal charm to inland properties. His work has even extended to vehicles, including a garbage truck near Hamburg that now sports his distinctive artistic touch.
Beyond the local northwestern Mecklenburg region, where Wrede has beautified pump stations for the Radegast utility company with landscape and nature motifs, his artistic influence has spread across northern Germany. From 2012 to 2014, he joined a team of five to six artists working for Edis AG, traveling from Potsdam to Flensburg to transform electrical transformer stations into vibrant works of graffiti art. This collaboration allowed him to expand his reach and refine his techniques on a larger scale.
One of Wrede's most personally meaningful recent projects involved a commission from the Kühlung utility company in Bad Doberan. For a pump station in Kühlungsborn, he created an amber-themed mural. As an avid amber collector himself, Wrede found this motif particularly fitting for the Baltic Sea coastal location, and his enthusiasm for the subject matter resonated with his client's vision for the project.
Wrede works exclusively with spray techniques and lacquer paints based on nitro or acrylic compounds, materials chosen for their durability and quick-drying properties. These high-quality paints ensure that his artwork remains vibrant and clearly recognizable even after many years of exposure to the elements. The weather significantly impacts his work schedule, as he cannot work continuously during inclement conditions, making each project's timeline somewhat unpredictable.
Looking toward the future, Wrede is planning to expand his artistic influence through education. He is developing plans to offer courses for students, sharing his knowledge and techniques with the next generation of potential artists. While the specific timing and location for these educational programs have not yet been finalized, the initiative represents his commitment to passing on his expertise and fostering appreciation for this art form among young people.
After 18 successful years in the profession, Wrede continues to find deep satisfaction in his chosen career path. "I am my own boss, I love my work, and I organize my own schedule," he reflects, highlighting the freedom and fulfillment that his artistic entrepreneurship has provided. His journey from that first fox mural to becoming a sought-after professional artist demonstrates how passion, skill, and opportunity can transform both individual lives and the visual landscape of entire communities.
