Heath Ledger as Joker: Recent addition to the Hosier Lane (Melbourne, Australia) graffiti collection by street artist Owen Dippie, from Mount Maunganui, New Zealand owendippie.blogspot.com.au/
Content warning: Are you ready for a colorful adventure? Today, we're taking you on a vivid journey to explore the top 5 must-see street art hotspots around the world. Prepare to be amazed by the creativity and talent displayed in these urban masterpieces. And don't forge
Are you ready for a colorful adventure?
Today, we’re taking you on a vivid journey to explore the top 5 must-see street art hotspots around the world. Prepare to be amazed by the creativity and talent displayed in these urban masterpieces. And don’t forget to bookmark this article for your future travels!
1 Berlin, Germany: The Open-Air Gallery
First up, we have Berlin, a city that has transformed itself into an open-air gallery since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Stroll through the streets to discover a treasure trove of street art, from politically charged murals to whimsical creations.
Keep your eyes peeled for the East Side Gallery, a 1.3 km long section of the wall that boasts over 100 colorful paintings by artists from all around the globe.
Street art cat by Tianooo The Cat in Haus der Statistik, Berlin, Germany
By Isakov at Samariterstraße / Rigaer Straße in Friedrichshain, Berlin, Germany.
2 Melbourne, Australia: The Laneway Capital
Next, we’re jetting off to Melbourne, Australia’s vibrant laneway capital. Wander through the city’s narrow alleys to find an ever-changing canvas of graffiti and street art. Don’t miss the iconic Hosier Lane, a bustling hub of creativity where local and international artists leave their mark. And be sure to swing by AC/DC Lane, a tribute to the legendary rock band and a celebration of Melbourne’s music scene.
Our next stop is São Paulo, Brazil, where you’ll encounter a unique form of graffiti known as “pixação.” This bold, angular style of lettering originated in the 1980s and has since become a symbol of the city’s vibrant street art culture. Head to the neighborhood of Vila Madalena to find the famous Batman Alley, a kaleidoscope of colorful murals that attract visitors from all over the world.
No street art tour would be complete without a visit to London, the “home” of the elusive artist Banksy (born in Bristol). His provocative stenciled artworks can be found scattered throughout the city, often accompanied by thought-provoking messages.
While in town, also make sure to explore the Shoreditch district, a creative hub filled with quirky galleries, vibrant murals, and captivating graffiti.
Some example of street art from London:
Banksy did this 2012 (London) to celebrate the Queen’s diamond jubilee
5 New York City, USA: The Birthplace of Modern Graffiti
Last but not least, we arrive in New York City, the birthplace of modern graffiti. From the iconic 5Pointz (R.I.P) in Queens to the ever-evolving walls of the Bushwick Collective in Brooklyn, there’s no shortage of stunning street art to admire. Don’t forget to pay homage to the legendary Keith Haring, whose iconic Pop Shop once stood in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood.
I’ve always been drawn to SMUG’s art—there’s just something amazing about how he brings everyday faces to life on such a massive scale.
Known worldwide for his super-realistic portraits, SMUG’s murals are incredibly detailed and often tower up to 14 stories high! His work isn’t just impressive; it’s a mix of creativity and skill, with each piece telling its own story through light, shadow, and careful detail.
When SMUG starts a mural, he’s not just copying a photo; he’s adapting to the wall in front of him. Every wall, with its own texture and quirks, becomes part of the artwork. Seeing him turn these challenges into part of the art is what makes his work so incredible.
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In Frankston, Victoria, Australia at The Big Picture Fest.
Be sure to keep up with SMUG’s latest creations by following him on Instagram. For more of SMUG’s remarkable works, check out our previous collection: See some of his older murals in this collection from 2011.
Don’t forget to share your photos of SMUG’s street art in our Facebook group, Your Street Art Utopia.
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Tribute to SMUGs grandparents in Melbourne, Australia.
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Photo by @thedreadedcatstudios
In Wirrabara, South Australia.
SMUG: Wirrabara, South Australia. One of my most challenging murals to date. I can’t imagine anyone actually enjoys painting 30m tall murals on a curved surface but, contrary to just about everything I said when I finally finished this, I’m kind of keen to do another one! Haha! I love rural Australia and really regret that I didn’t have more time to spend there to fully appreciate it.
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In Leicester, UK at Bring The Paint Street Art Festival.
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In Karlstad, Sweden for Artscape.
SMUG: One of the most absorbant walls I’ve ever worked on so I killed A LOT of cans on this one and spent a couple of days longer than I wanted to on it.
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In Kreuzberg, Berlin at Berlin Mural Fest.
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This two Squirrels are from Street Art Festival in Belgium.
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For Project SAATO in Paris, France.
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In Västervik, Sweden at BANK! Västervik Street Art.
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At Upeart in Kotka, Finland.
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At Waterford Walls Street Art Festival in Ireland.
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Mural in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
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At Yardworks in Glasgow, Scotland.
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In Melbourne, Australia.
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For Artscape in Årjäng, Sweden.
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At Wonderwalls Festival in Wollongong, Australia.
SMUG: It was a real push to finish this one. Ended up only having 3 days after the local authorities threw their weight around trying to stop us. Plus for a Sunday sunset haired dude like me it was freaking hot as all hell!
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In North Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
SMUG: Painting the local legend Cam, who drops knowledge on everyone and carves these beautiful heart brooches for the women of Hobart to help them fall in love with him. Not my usual color palette but had a lot of fun painting this one.
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For Colour Tumby Street Art Festival in Tumby Bay, Australia.
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In Glasgow, Scotland.
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In Melbourne, Australia.
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Photo by @fredrikakerbergPhoto by @fredrikakerbergPhoto by @fredrikakerberg
Mural in Partille, Göteborg for Artscape.
SMUG: My wall for this years Artscape project in Partille, Göteborg. This year we were given a folk tale to base our murals on and I was given the tale of Revontulet. In the Finnish origin story of the Aurora Borealis a firefox wins favor of the villagers by igniting the sky with the Northern Lights to help a lost hiker find his way in the icy woods. This is now the tallest mural in Sweden and whispers are saying the tallest in Scandinavia.
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Mural paying tribute to farmers by Smug in Lameroo, Australia for Lameroo Silo Art. Curated by Juddy Roller.
Lameroo Silo Art: The incredible Lameroo Silo Art Project is officially completed on the Eastern Viterra Silo, in Lameroo, South Australia. The mural was completed in just 3 weeks, by the extraordinarily talented Sam ‘SMUG’ Bates, at the heels of art curators Juddy Roller! This artwork beautifully reflects Lameroo’s rich farming routes, paying tribute to the resilience of our pioneering farmers, in establishing life and livelihood. The picture aims to capture the essence of the Mallee farmer—a symbolic representation of unwavering spirit and hope, which is still alive in our community today.
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Photo by Gordon Terris.
By SMUG in Glasgow, Scotland.
In collaboration with the Govan Housing Association in honour of its 50th anniversary, inspired by the Govan-born ‘Daffodil King’, Peter Barr. Barr is credited with bringing the daffodil back into fashion in the late 1800s, and the Memorial Cup is given out each year to those who follow in his footsteps and advance the standing of daffodils.
What do you think of SMUG’s street art? Do you have a favorite?
Loretta Lizzio’s silo art in Brunswick depicts NZ Prime Minister hugging a Muslim woman following the massacre of 51 people at two Christchurch mosques in March.
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Photo by Gordon Terris.
