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What Time Reveals (9 Photos)
Content warning: From buried mosaics to trees shaping themselves around bricks, these 9 artworks and urban phenomena show how time quietly alters the world around us. Featured in this collection: a Roman mosaic uncovered beneath modern London, living sculptures shaped by
From buried mosaics to trees shaping themselves around bricks, these 9 artworks and urban phenomena show how time quietly alters the world around us. Featured in this collection: a Roman mosaic uncovered beneath modern London, living sculptures shaped by season, and a weathered bronze statue worn by human ritual. Nature, memory, decay—and renewal—are all etched into these moments.
More: Playing With Statues (11 Photos)
1. Roman Mosaic Unearthed — Southwark, London, UK
Two archaeologists gently uncover a large Roman mosaic beneath a construction site near The Shard in central London. The vibrant geometric patterns, preserved underground for nearly 2,000 years, reveal a glimpse into an ancient dining room once part of a Roman mansio (guesthouse).
More!: Hidden for Centuries! Stunning Ancient Mosaics Discovered Beneath Modern Cities (7 Photos)
2. Mondrian Roots — Hong Kong
The roots of a banyan tree spread across the brick sidewalk in sharp, grid-like formations. Pressed by the rigid pavement, the natural growth has conformed over time into a geometric pattern that echoes Mondrian’s abstract art.
More photos!: Nature at Work: “Mondrianish” Banyan Tree Roots Create Art in Hong Kong
3. Freedom Sculpture — Philadelphia, USA
A bronze figure emerges from a textured wall, breaking free while others remain embedded in its surface. Over time, the patina adds depth to the story of struggle, memory, and liberation. Sculpture by Zenos Frudakis.
🔗 Follow Zenos Frudakis on Instagram
4. The Mud Maid — Cornwall, UK
A sleeping woman sculpted from earth, moss, and plants lies beneath the trees in the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Created by Sue Hill, the sculpture changes with the seasons: lush green in spring, snow-covered in winter. More!: Mud Maid – Living sculpture by Sue and Pete Hill (5 photos and video)
🔗 Follow Mud Maid on Facebook
5. The Hidden Melody — Milan, Italy
A child appears to push through a peeling concrete wall with a violin bow. The cracks themselves become the strings, transforming urban decay into a moment of performance. Artwork by Golsa Golchini. More by Golsa!: You Might Walk Past These—But They’re Tiny Masterpieces in Disguise
🔗 Follow Golsa Golchini on Instagram
6. Pavement Sundial
A painted clock face surrounds a metal pole on the sidewalk. Its shadow moves with the sun, turning an ordinary urban element into a functioning sundial that tracks time by design and decay.
7. Worn Bronze — Victor Noir’s Grave, Paris, France
Victor Noir’s grave in Père-Lachaise cemetery, created by Patrick Magaud in 1984, has gained fame not for Noir’s journalistic work but for the legend surrounding his death and burial site. Noir was a journalist shot dead, and his grave features a full-sized bronze statue of him lying down, as if recently shot. Over time, the statue became a fertility symbol. Legend has it that kissing the statue on the lips, leaving a flower in Victor’s hat, and rubbing the genital area enhances fertility, improves one’s sex life, or helps find a husband within a year. This has led to the lips and trousers’ bulge on the statue becoming noticeably shiny from repeated contact.
8. Vertical Garden — Madrid, Spain
A building façade is overtaken by a lush vertical garden designed by botanist Patrick Blanc. Over the years, hundreds of plant species have grown to cover the wall in waves of green, yellow, and pink. More photos!: Vertical Garden – By Patrick Blanc in Madrid and Paris
9. Radium – SHOK-1 in Le Locle, Switzerland
Painted with SHOK-1’s signature X-ray style, this glowing green mural shows a skeletal hand delicately drawing time with a pencil, its tip forming a clock shape. Located in the birthplace of Swiss watchmaking.
SHOK-1: This piece is about the tragic story of the Radium Girls, who suffered horribly with radiation poisoning from painting watch faces back in the 20s. I think we can still learn from it today as a narrative about the misuse of science by commerce, and of profit over people. I rendered it in the colour of radium watch lume, as if it were the dial glowing in the dark.
🔗 Follow SHOK-1 on Instagram
More: 30 Sculptures You (probably) Didn’t Know Existed
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Playing With Statues (21 Photos)
Visitors around the world keep finding clever ways to turn public sculptures into something new — by joining in. From mountain bears to marble scenes, each moment captures humor, timing, and a little bit of improvisation.
More: Playing With Statues (26 photos)
1. Bear Hug
A cyclist lies across the arms of a standing bear statue, perfectly staged to look like a dramatic rescue in the wild.
2. Follow the Music
A small child joins a bronze sculpture of children following a violinist, becoming part of the playful parade.
3. Paper Storm
A woman leaps into the air as a statue swings a bat, sending her papers flying — captured at just the right second.
4. Caught by the Eagle
A man pretends to be snatched by a huge eagle sculpture, turning a dramatic scene into comedy gold. Gandalf summons you sir!
5. No Thanks
A hand holds a cigarette pack in front of a carved stone figure, perfectly aligned so it looks like the figure is raising a hand to refuse the offer.
6. The Force Push
A person jumps backward in front of a statue reaching forward, creating the illusion of an invisible force. Let the force be with you!
7. The Slap
A laughing bronze figure on a unicycle seems to slap a passerby in perfect comedic timing.
8. Group Effort
Friends recreate the composition of a dramatic marble sculpture, matching each pose in striking accuracy.
9. Trumpet Call
A man pretends to blast a trumpet into the ear of a crouching figure sculpture, freezing a moment of exaggerated reaction.
10. Hold My Hand
A small child joins a bronze family sculpture, pulling at the arm of the statue child as if part of the same stroll.
11. Old Whisper
A man stands close to a statue of an elderly figure, leaning in as the sculpture appears to tug on his shirt and whisper a secret.
12. The Late Disinfection
A worker in protective gear sprays down a classical-style statue in a modern city setting. The scene creates a humorous contrast between ancient history and present-day cleaning routines.
13. Bunny Line
A young child appears to join a line of sculpted rabbits, creating a seamless and charming illusion of waiting their turn.
14. Stone Slap
Caught mid-action, this classical statue seems to lash out at a woman reacting in mock pain, her hair and body frozen in dramatic motion.
15. Spider-Man Grabbed
A cosplayer dressed as Spider-Man stages a mock confrontation with a bronze statue, appearing to be caught mid-swing.
16. Railway Workers
A man places himself along a track sculpture in a way that makes it seem like he’s about to be hammered by a team of bronze workers.
17. Forged by the Smith
A visitor lies across a blacksmith statue’s anvil, humorously posing as if being hammered into shape.
18. Bear Hug
A mountain biker climbs into the arms of a bear statue, appearing to be dramatically cradled like a scene from a wilderness tale.
19. Whispered Secrets
In a tender illusion, a man leans in as if sharing a secret with a serene marble sculpture of a woman cupping her ear.
20. Razor Ready
A pink razor has been placed under the raised arm of a stone figure, making the statue appear to be mid-shave.
21. Synchronized Stride
A toddler unintentionally mimics the pose of a bronze statue child reaching forward, matching the group’s walking motion in perfect sync.More: Playing With Statues (23 photos)
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Nature at Work: “Mondrianish” Banyan Tree Roots Create Art in Hong Kong
Content warning: Banyan tree roots in Hong Kong form grid-like patterns resembling Mondrian’s art, blending nature and urban landscapes in a striking display documented by Alex Hofford.
In the streets of Hong Kong, nature meets art in the most unexpected way.
Banyan tree roots creep along walls and sidewalks, creating patterns that look like Piet Mondrian’s famous grid paintings. These roots form straight lines and squares, mimicking the abstract style of Mondrian’s art.
Photographer Alex Hofford documented how these tree roots create striking visual patterns, blending naturally into the urban landscape. Even in the middle of a busy city, nature quietly shapes its own unique art.
More: 37 Stunning Street Art Pieces That Perfectly Blend with Nature
More: 8 Inspiring Sculptures Seamlessly Integrated with Nature
When Street Art Meets Nature (40 Photos)
When street art meets nature, the results are stunning. Some artists blend their murals seamlessly with the landscape, while others use real plants to bring their work to life.
In Ecuador, El Decertor painted a mural that merges with the natural surroundings. In Martinique, Nuxuno Xän turned a tree trunk into part of a painted figure. In New York, OGMillie created a floral mural that brightens the urban space. In Brazil, Fábio Gomes Trindade’s portraits use real bougainvillea as hair, while in Poland, Natalia Rak painted a girl appearing to water a living tree.These works show how street art and nature can come together in unexpected and beautiful ways.
More: 18 Stunning Land Art Creations by Jon Foreman: Nature’s Beauty in Stone Patterns
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By El Decertor – In Imbabura, Ecuador (2 photos)2
Flower Power by Fábio Gomes Trindade in Goiás, Brasil (3 artworks)Raising Awareness: Street Art as a Conservation Tool
Nature-inspired street art can be a powerful means of drawing attention to endangered species and emphasizing the importance of preserving natural habitats. By using their talents, street artists can become advocates for environmental conservation and ignite conversations about our shared responsibility to protect the planet.3
By Nuxuno Xän – In Fort De France, MartiniqueInspiring Sustainability: Environmental Messages in Street Art
Street art that incorporates natural elements can also raise public awareness about environmental issues and promote sustainable living. These awe-inspiring creations can encourage people to reflect on their impact on the environment and take action to reduce their carbon footprint, recycle, and preserve nature.4
In NicaraguaCreating a Sense of Place: Street Art Trails and Tourism
Street art can be used to design nature trails, where visitors can explore the environment while admiring artistic masterpieces. These trails promote tourism, allowing visitors to learn about the local ecosystem, culture, and history while appreciating the art. The fusion of street art and nature can foster a deep connection with the location and enhance the overall experience.5
Flower mural by OGMillie and Floratorium in New York (5 photos)6
In Pondicherry, India 2 photos7
By Robson Melancia in Dois Córregos, Brazil8
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By Fauxreel in Toronto, Canada11
Street Art by David Zinn (3 photos)12
“UMI” Sculpture by Daniel Popper in Lisle, Illinois 4 photos13
Cuteness overload! Chalk Art by David Zinn (6 photos)14
Legend about Giants by Natalia Rak in Białystok, Poland15
16 Photos – Street Art by Michael Pederson in Sydney, Australia16
Street Art by Pejac – A Collection17
By Jonna Pohjalainen – In Turku, Finland18
By Wild Drawing in Athens, Greece19
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Street Art by Oakoak – Calvin and Hobbes23
87 Perler Bead by Pappas Pärlor -Collection 124
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By Dr Love at Upfest – In Bristol, England27
Moss Graffiti by Carly Schmitt28
The Green Carpet – In Jaujac, France 6 photos to see it all29
Small Girl and small apple – By Oakoak30
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Street Art by JPS – A Collection (+40 photos)33
Garden Hot Air Balloon – By Oakoak34
Street Art by Vinie – A Collection (24 photos)35
The sleeping beauty – In Picardie, France36
“Beautiful Love” by Alter OS in Mexico City37
Come in to Light – Wooden Sculpture By Daniel Popper In Tulum, Mexico38.
Clothespin Sculpture by Mehmet Ali Uysal in Belgium.
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The Caring Hand by Eva Oertli and Beat Huber in Glarus, Switzerland.
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Kindergarten children dropped seeds in the crack of the sidewalk to see what would happen.
More: 8 Inspiring Sculptures Seamlessly Integrated with Nature
Which one is your favorite?