Millo Returns to Da Xue Lu with The Book of Life Mural in Shanghai
Millo‘s The Book of Life mural in Shanghai marks the Italian artist’s powerful return to Da Xue Lu in Yangpu’s Knowledge and Innovation Community, nearly a decade after he painted Twist of Fate on the same street.
This new large-scale mural, curated by Bin Cao of Murmur studio and supported by the Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Shanghai, deepens the artists dialogue with the city, reflecting on knowledge, growth, and collective authorship within one of Shanghai’s most dynamic innovation districts.
Millo’s The Book of Life street art mural at Da Xue Lu in Yangpu, Shanghai. Photography by Tom Tang (@tom_shastudio).
A Monumental Mural in Yangpu’s Knowledge and Innovation Community
Set within KIC, one of Shanghai’s most dynamic districts integrating leading universities, high-tech parks, and thousands of startups, Millo’s The Book of Life resonates directly with its surroundings. The mural unfolds across multiple architectural surfaces, seamlessly incorporating doors, vents, and structural divisions into its composition.
Two figures sit within oversized open books, surrounded by Millo’s signature drawn monochrome cityscape. Subtle yet striking colour interventions, including a vivid yellow dress, a red shirt, deep blue book covers, and flourishing pink lotus flowers, animate the composition. A green watering can pours droplets onto the book, suggesting nurture, responsibility, and the shaping of collective futures.
Millo’s The Book of Life street art mural at Da Xue Lu in Yangpu, Shanghai. Photography by Tom Tang (@tom_shastudio).
From Millo’s “Twist of Fate” to “The Book of Life” Mural
When Millo first painted this wall in 2017, Twist of Fate reflected curiosity and possibility within a rapidly developing district. Nine years later, Yangpu has matured into a fully realised ecosystem of research and innovation.
Millo’s Twist of fate street art mural at Da Xue Lu in Yangpu, Shanghai 2017. Image Copyright Millo
The Book of Life proposes that cities are written over time through shared knowledge and daily action. The open books beneath the figures symbolise accumulation, revision, and growth, themes that mirror the academic and entrepreneurial pulse of KIC.
Millo’s The Book of Life street art mural at Da Xue Lu in Yangpu, Shanghai. Photography by Tom Tang (@tom_shastudio).
The significance of Millo’s The Book of Life mural in Shanghai lies not only in its scale but in its continuity. By returning to the exact street at Da Xue Lu, Millo transforms the wall into a living chapter within Yangpu’s Knowledge and Innovation Community, reinforcing how public art evolves alongside the city itself.
Millo’s The Book of Life street art mural at Da Xue Lu in Yangpu, Shanghai. Photography by Tom Tang (@tom_shastudio).
As Shanghai continues to position Yangpu as a centre for research, entrepreneurship, and cross-cultural exchange, Millo’s The Book of Life mural stands as a reminder that creativity remains central to innovation. At this prominent Yangpu intersection, the page has turned and the story continues.
Photo credit: Tom Tang