Albert, known artistically as Umby, has been creating art since his high school days. He attended the Art Institute of Philadelphia as well as the School of Italian Plaster in Smyrna, GA. Here he got his inspiration to create his twist on fresco painting, which he has been experimenting with since 2001. He has also painted several murals in Berks County and Philadelphia. Albert is a frequent participant in gallery showings and art fairs. He grew up West Reading, PA and currently lives in South Philly with his wife and 3 cats.
Inspiration
My thinking behind the banner was to use the pigeons. I have always seen them as an emblem of South Philly. The road in the banner is an homage to Isaiah Zagar, the artist of “Magic Gardens” as a tribute to what he has done for Philly. The colors on the path represent the rainbow honoring the LGBTQIA+ community. The icons in the mosaic are symbolic of life on South Street.