ARAD, June 8 — With large murals of black cats and colourful gurning faces, a group of travelling international artists are bringing a splash of colourful street art to towns in Israel and Jordan.

The eye-catching works, including large portraits and spying eyes, are produced under the banner of the international POW! WOW! event, a week-long culture festival which aims to "contribute, share culture and beautify communities with art.”

Having produced pieces at the Dead Sea and Petra in Jordan, the small group of artists, from Hawaii, Tel Aviv and Los Angeles, travelled to the southern Israeli city of Arad, a town in the Negev desert not often touched by street art.

"I came to the artist quarter in Arad to paint some walls,to give some colors and beauty to the place and to the people,” Tel Aviv street artist Dioz said yesterday as he finished his piece of the large faces.

The artists will next head to Tel Aviv to continue their art pilgrimage today for the final stages of the two-week festival. — Reuters