Russian street artist Pasha P183 dubbed “Russian Banksy” dies at 29

MOSCOW – A prominent Russian graffiti artist who hid his identity under the alias Pasha P183 and has been compared to Britain’s Banksy for his bold style and anonymity has died. He was 29.

The Teatralnoye Delo theatrical production company, which recently commissioned Pasha P183 to create scenery for the musical “Todd,” said the artist died Monday in Moscow. It wouldn’t elaborate.

Teatralnoye Delo’s spokeswoman Regina Vartsan, who knew the artist personally, described him Wednesday as a “sincere and open person of remarkable talent and unique vision.”

One of his most famous works featured a huge pair of glasses painted on a snow-covered yard with a lamppost serving as one arm. Another piece showed chocolate bars painted on concrete, an image he said reflected the commercialization of art and life.