Lens-Artists Challenge #170 – Street Art
“Street art is nothing else but urban poetry that catches someone’s eye.”
Christian Guemy
This week Patti invites us to share images of street art which appears more and more often in the most unlikely of places. I’ve seen it in multiple countries and on a myriad of platforms – railroad cars, bridges, building walls, playgrounds, you name it. It ranges from scrawled messages all the way up to the most elaborate of commissioned work. The artists have come into their own such that they no longer have to hide their identities, in fact they’ve become rather iconic as leaders of a new and exciting genre.
“I use art to express myself and to escape from work. It is sacred.”
Guido Van Halten
I was in California when I came upon my opening image, and in the heart of NYC for the second. The first was in a quiet outskirt on the wall of a store, the second was beside the famous Calatrava Oculus. Both seemed perfectly positioned in areas that could not have been more different. I was drawn to both for the amazing use of color to draw the eye and to express emotion.
“Don’t have much to say that wouldn’t look better on a wall.”
BiP
Because I’ve focused on the most colorful of examples, my selection this week offers quite a range of locations, themes and approaches. The image above, taken in Hudson New York, was on a wall outside of a Mexican restaurant. I thought it was great fun with its green street musicians.
“Few people go to art expeditions. The power of Street Art is that it goes to people’s daily life to be seen.”
iNO
One of my favorite street art encounters was in the beautiful city of Buenos Aires. Seen above we actually saw the piece as it was being created by a very focused painter. Obviously street art is a global phenomenon although I suppose there are places where it would not be allowed, or where it would be more controlled.
“Street art …is so democratic. Art by anyone for anyone.”
Mydogsighs
The image above was one piece of a large street art painting in Tel Aviv, Israel. I loved the colors and what I saw as portrayal of a happy, fun day at an open-air market.
“If our creativities are guided by public policies, we are not gonna be able to paint anything at all”
INTI
I’ve chosen a personal favorite as my closing image. Th gigantic vulture was an amazing example of street art just outside of Charleston SC. It was made even more special by the performance of a street artist, the young man shown “falling” in front of the art. There are a dozen terrific paintings in the area and he performed for our photography club one afternoon much to our delight. I combined the vulture images into a tryptic to create a feeling of his having been dropped by the bird.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my selection this week. I apologize that I’ve not included the names of the painters, unfortunately I don’t have them. But each of my quotes this week is from a well-known street artist which I hope makes up for that in some small way.
Many thanks to I.J. for leading us last week with his Ordinary challenge. It was great to see how each of you was able to turn everyday objects and places into something magical. We hope you’ll join us this week to celebrate the street artists and their craft. Remember to link your response to Patti’s original here, and to use the Lens-Artists Tag to help us find you. Next week Ann-Christine will lead our challenge so be sure to stop by her blog next Saturday. Until then, as always please stay safe and be kind.
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Thanks for linking, Tina. Your photos are as amazing as the artwork itself. 🙂
Wow. Very artistic examples.
Thanks John
I love your beautiful selection of street art, Tina! I think your examples are quite varied which makes the presentation every more interesting. My favorite one though shows the vulture along with the street artist performing. You captured his movements perfectly and showing them in tryptic terrific – it tells a story. Wish I had been with you all for this photo shoot in Charleston. I also really like The Birds, The Birds, such beautiful rich colors and patterns. And of course, the green street musicians made me smile. This has to be one of my favorite post!😊
Colourful and wonderful examples of street art!
I’m partial to the birds from hummers to vultures. The first is giver of life, the later the harbinger of death.
I have always been fascinated by street art… wondering who and when they were inspired to paint their broad strokes …. Love them all
Thanks Miss Linda – amazing how much is out there, and it’s always eye-catching!
These are beautiful, Tina. You should add your link to Cee’s PPAC (Photographing Public Art Challenge) today. It fits so perfectly. 🙂
Thanks Marsha – will do!
Thanks, Tina. We always love to have you. 🙂
I loved all the bright murals but the street artist performing in front of the buzzard is really special – a combination of arts. He almost looks like he was painted there on the wall in mid-motion, until you see the next photo and realize that he’s real. Wow – must have been something to see!
Thanks Elizabeth – it was a very special event and he was terrific. It really added to the day.
These are brilliant. The choice of colours is especially to my taste. And I’m really glad that you included the quotation by My Dog Sighs. I really respect him as an artist.
Many thanks Manja – I was amazed to find a site with quotes from the major street artists of the day.
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So vibrant Tina 🙂 🙂
Thanks Brian. The colorful works are very cheerful!
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Some amazing and colorful artwork, Tina! And I like your presentation of the vulture with the street artist in the foreground.
Thanks Sue – that was a really fun day.
Tina, this image from California, I am pretty sure that I have seen in Los Angeles two years ago???
Hi Cornelia. The first image is from California but not in LA. It was in a small town named Indio not far from Palm Springs.. The artist on that one is Nicole Punsler. Maybe she’s done other work in LA?
Thank you Tina, that is very interesting to know.
I liked the intense colors in all of the murals you photographed, Tina!
Many thanks Siobhan!
Well…wherever do you find such beauties, Tina? Gorgeous. All of them. But I still have a favourite – Carried Away! Very special indeed!
Many thanks Ann-Christine – couldn’t resist including that one. It was a very special day.
😀
Tina, the public art display are so totally cool. I adore how bright and big they are 😀
Thanks very much Cee – I just loved all of the colors in these examples.
That’s a wonderful variety: quite a range of styles and colour palettes. I liked the ones from Charleston, Buenos Aires, and California.
Thanks I.J., I focused on some of the most colorful art I’ve seen through the years and these were among the best.
Great selection, Tina… Love the Tel Aviv colourful mural.
Thanks Teresa, like some of the others, that’s only part of a wonderful mural. Amazing colors.
Such bold imagery! I would like to see more street art like this.
Thanks very much – yes I too loved the bold brilliance of these examples.
You share an exquisite selection of street art, Tina! I’m happy that street artists have come into their own to share their masterpieces. That hummingbird artwork is masterful! Carried Away is indeed spectacular. Thank you for sharing your finds!
Thanks so much Terri – yes it’s become quite an accepted form of art with several rising stars and some of it is really amazing. That hummingbird painting was truly spectacular. I’ve shown only a small part of it.
Wow… what a collection of street arts, Tina! I love the bright and beautiful colors of the birds, the market day made me smile, The last one is way too cool!
Thanks Amy – I’ve seen more than my share of street art through the years but that shoot with the performance artist was really special.
Beautiful images and gorgeous murals Tina, I especially love the first two 🧡 xxx
Thank you Xenia, glad those caught your eye.
I always like your quotes for what they bring to a post and today found the phrases and quotes to augment the photos reminding us of how street art can be done anywhere and by anybody (and might be controlled or not allowed in certain areas ) but also how the “power of Street Art is that it goes to people’s daily life to be seen.”
So true and great global photos showing us culture
Thanks Yvette – I was amazed when I looked for quotes this week to see how many of the more famous street-artists have been quoted and are well-known. The only one I’d heard of, of course, was Banksy. So I learned something this week – always a good thing!
Banksy was one of the first names that I learned ahen it came to street art – and then a few more came along – and it seems in the last five or six years there has been a wave of street art – and that sure can bring color tomorrow world – but I do admit to not liking many of the ones in Richmond, VA – some is in poor taste – it dark! But as you showed us here – there can be vibrancy and color – like green lizard-y musicians – hahaha 🎶🎶🎶
I agree Yvette – just like other art forms it’s all about our personal taste. I chose to go with uplifting, colorful examples but have seen many that are quite “dark” . And yes, the green lizards cracked me up too!
☀️😊☀️
It may be just legalized graffiti, but it’s often beautiful and adds to the charm of the city.
I’m thinking the street artists would not be fond of the term “legalized graffiti” John LOLOL. It can be beautiful and charming, but like all art, not always and often only in the eye of the beholder. It makes me sad to see how run-down some of the street art gets but then most art isn’t exposed to the natural elements. It’s quite an interesting phenomenon but definitely has its challenges!
One cool thing I’ve noticed is that many cities have taking to painting those large gray/green utility boxes that are necessary infrastructure to give them a pleasant look.
My favorite is one I saw in North Carolina where a large box and two tall and skinny boxes were painted to look like a gas station and two gas pumps. 🙂
Hah, that sounds great John! I’ve not seen that in my travels YET
Fantastic examples of street art! I was going to pick one or two favourites but realised I love them all 😀 However the triptych at the end is particularly special, with that performance artist indeed looking as if he has been picked up and dropped by the bird – so much so that I thought he was part of the paintings at first!!
Thanks so much for the feedback Sarah – that was an amazing day. He worked so hard to give us a great experience. A photographer’s dream!
Tina, these are all amazing works of art and you captured them beautifully. I love how colorful they all are.
Thanks Beth, there is so much talent out there that no one ever hears about, don’t you think? I only wish I’d captured the names of the artists. Live and learn, right?
Marvellous, colourful examples, Tina from some talented artists! I love ‘carried away’ for its intricacy
Thanks Sue – I have so many images from that day. It was really special to have the performance artist working with us using the street art as his background.
Yes, that would have been something to see, Tina!
Fantastic collection, Tina. I really admire these artists. They are capable of creating such huge paintings on gigantic canvases. My personal favorite is the lady’s headshot in #2. I like the crispy and intense colors as well as the strength and beauty of her face. Top choice. 👍
Thanks Andre – she was actually quite huge. I wondered if she was created with permission from the city as she sits directly beside the Oculus and very close to the 9/11 memorial.
Ah, thanks for the background details 👍
Tina, Your street art photos are just fantastic!
Thanks very much Aletta – amazing how prolific street art has become
Oh yes, it is quite a big thing lately
A fabulously eclectic collection.
Thanks Margaret, glad you enjoyed.
Wonderful streetart!
Many thanks !
I realy enjoyed your shots of these examples of street art. They really are of exceptional beauty!
I like this kind of art and have written a few blogs about it.
You can find them by looking up “street art” in the search field of my blog.
Kind regards,
Rudi
Thanks very much Rudi. I too love street art, which is a terrific subject for photography. One of these days tho, we need to have a challenge about street art that’s faded and losing lustre. Unfortunately there’s lots of that too.
Great photos Tina! I do think the top one is my favorite 😊💙
Thanks Lisa – it’s just a small piece of a huge work that is glorious in its entirely!
Loved all of these! Amazing creativity and colors!
Thanks Laurel – I’m amazed at how street art has grown around the world. Our little area of Charleston and its surrounds is a great example.
Amazing images … street art lends an artistic dimension to a city
Thanks Indra, I agree. Interesting to see the examples from so many very different places this week.
These are all eye-catchingly wonderful, Tina. I love the vibrant colors and the birds especially appeal to me. I also enjoyed that first quote. Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend.
janet
Many thanks Janet – the weekend is only half over so still time to have a wonderful one!!
Wow, Tina! A fabulous collection. And color-coordinated, too! You’ve picked great examples of vibrant street art in vibrant cities. Lovely!
Thanks Patti – Had lots to choose from as I do love street art when I find it, but somehow the vibrant colors called to me on this one 😊
They are wonderful.
I love street art, and these are great. I think it is difficult enough to paint on a canvas so I am always amazed that they can transform a wall into a scene that draws us in.
Agree whole-heartedly Judy. Even envisioning what such a large scene will look like would be a challenge, much less translating it to a wall! Glad these caught your eye.
Love this bright post and have shared a link on twitter. Thanks Tina!
That’s so sweet, thanks Liz!
Really love all of these. Particularly Lamar and the vulture! Strength and beauty is just mesmerizing.
Thanks Kathy – good for you for remembering his name! Yes, his vulture performance was amazing!
Awesome! One of my favorite things about visiting new places is seeing vibrant street art. ✨
I agree Michele – and they’re a delight especially for photographers, aren’t they?!
Absolutely! In Phoenix, there is a area/street called Roosevelt Row that is a mural feast for the eyes. 💖
wonderful street art pictures you found for us tina i like them all very much.
many greetings robert
Thanks very much Robert, glad you enjoyed these
WOW! This is a fabulous collection of street art. I love the individualism of each artist and their use of a very different “canvas.”
Thanks Anne – yes it’s pretty amazing what they can create these days. It’s truly a new art form with some very talented artists at it.
Tina, I just love these colorful examples of street art. It’s a big thing here in Sacramento and the artists are very talented.
Thanks Anne – honestly I have mixed feelings about it because I’ve seen so many examples of street art y.that isn’t kept up and just peels and becomes sad and messy. I do love it when it’s well-done, fresh and new. The hummingbird painting was glorious, I hope it stays that way
Woow ismajingg!!!
Street art is so exciting! We don’t have too much around my town, but then we go into Alabama and there it is! These are great, Tina.
Funny how they seem to arrive in “clumps” Lois – the little shopping area where the street performer was helping us must have 20 of them all together and then nothing more until 20 miles away in downtown Charleston. They are fun tho, aren’t they?!
Amazing works! Love the birds, and the sequence in Carried Away. This one will be a challenge for me – I’ll try though!!!
Thanks Lindy – somehow I know you’ll come through!