Street art: a tour of Berlin, Spain, and ending up in England.

It was in Berlin that I first really discovered a love of Street Art. Maybe it’s because I got some background understanding by going out for the afternoon with Dave, of Alternative Berlin Tours. I learnt the difference between graffiti, street art, stickers and transfers, and something of the political anger and activism that can inform so much of it: particularly near the former Berlin Wall. This has now been re-invented as The East Side Gallery and I don’t show anything of that here because many of its images are so well known. Here are some examples we saw in Dave’s company, or exploring later on our own.

Having done Street Art Module One in Berlin, I was ready a year or so later to do Module Two in Valencia, It was here that I met an irrepressible type who peoples doorways and random bits of street furniture, painted by David de Limón.

Our tutor introduces us to David de Limón

And it was here too, as we once had in Seville, that we encountered street artists doing their day – or occasionally night – job.

Here are a few more:

I like the way that the windows become part of the fantasy here.

And here’s one just for Past Squares …

And we’ll have a whistle-stop tour of Spain and view a few more:

Catalan independence is always the story in Berga …
… whereas relaxing over a drink with a friend is more Seville’s style
  • Granada’s a place to relax too.
  • An ancient city with Arabic, Jewish and Christian roots, Tudela has embraced street art too

Maybe this is my favourite image of all, a bit of fun created from damaged plasterwork in Seville:

Another Past Square for Becky, and worth another outing, I think.

Although – hang on – no. My real favourite has got to be in Manor House Gardens, Hither Green, because the artist appears to have designed this image with my granddaughter in mind.

With thanks to Patti for providing us with a chance to wander city streets this week in quest of images that amuse, provoke and stimulate us. It’s the perfect moment to join the Photographing Public Art Challenge too. As well as Monday Mural. All this and Past Squares and Monday Window too … This is taking multi-tasking to a new level.

The header image comes from the top floor of an apartment block in Málaga.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #170

Monday Mural

Monday Window

Past Squares

Photographing Public Art

Author: margaret21

I'm retired and living in North Yorkshire, where I walk as often as I can, write, volunteer, and travel as often as I can.

75 thoughts on “Street art: a tour of Berlin, Spain, and ending up in England.”

  1. Heavens to Betsy, woman! It’s a kitchen sink job! But some superb examples, Margaret. Not sure I can pick a favourite. I love to watch them at work if I get the opportunity. Have a great week!

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    1. Those two examples I show are the only times I’ve seen them at it. Lovely to see there ‘are Monday Walks today. I’ll be back later to read yours and your contributors’ offerings.

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  3. Hee hee you second square made me giggle, think that would be one of my favourites too. I really love the relaxed scene in Seville, could almost imagine they are shadows. You have curated a fantastic collection; it tells a tale as much as the individual creations themselves

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  4. Gosh Im not instinctively a fan of street art, but you have curated a prize collection here, Margaret!
    The artistic skill, humour and creative imagination behind each of these images makes them each wonderful and truly inspiring… the plaster missing piece takes the prize for making a plus from a minus!!

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    1. I know – it’s a clever bit of fun. I think street art works best in neighbourhoods in need of a bit of TLC, and a bit of colour, which is where most of these come from.

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  6. Wow, they are all fabulous Margaret. Love the David de Limon characters, and the butterfly, but my favourite is the one in Seville with shadows of people enjoying a drink outdoors. So well done!
    Thanks for participating in Monday Murals.

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    1. I love that too. At first glance, I genuinely thought it was shadow and couldn’t get my head round it. I should participate more often. Such fun digging out past treasures.

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  7. I love most European street art and the one as you pass through Olhaō. Although I fear for the state of that building! Love the Seville one too. Am not sure I have ever seen these works in progress. A beautiful one for your granddaughter!

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  9. I’m a great fan of street art but much of it seems to be defaced by graffiti in the UK. Oh, I know that graffiti can be very artistic too and, sometimes, the lines can be very blurred between the two. I particularly love to watch freight trains clattering past, displaying their art as they go!

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    1. Me too. Spain seems to be the country for art-on-the-train. I agree with you about graffiti. The only thing is I suppose that most street art doesn’t have an indefinite life and might not be there at all in a year or two in that form. All the same, it’s a shame when graffiti help it on its way out.

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  11. How interesting to have taken those street art tours – maybe that’s something I should consider one day. I’m sure I’d learn a lot! My favourite from this great selection is probably the four lions, but that use of the damaged wall in Seville is clever and I love the multi-coloured one from Valencia 🙂

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      1. Yes, we usually prefer to explore cities in particular on our own, but like you I’d make an exception for something specialised like this 🙂

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  13. Jo’s comment made me giggle! I love the Seville one, very clever. I like the idea of going on a street art tour in a place you don’t know very well. I went looking for murals in San Fran and felt very exposed in a fairly rough area, it would have been nice to have had someone with me then. Some art I find exceptionally good, other stuff can verge on vandalism. You have a good selection here.

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    1. Like everything, there’s good and bad to be found. But in general it’s inventive, lively, and fits the space it was designed for. Luckily, I’ve not yet felt unsafe, but my time may come.

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      1. A friend of mine used to co-own an apartment there which friends and family could borrow, so I’ve been there several times. Certainly one of my favourite European cities.

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  17. What fun, Margaret! I love the one of your granddaughter. The “I am not a nugget,” made me smile. What a great collection. The ones in Spain are really striking.

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  18. I thoroughly enjoyed such a varied collection of street art work. I have scrolled through your photos several times. It must be even better to see them in their context though.

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  19. Margaret, these are all such lovely photos. The art shown is fabulous, too. I’m so glad you joined in. You are amazing at multi-tasking! I need to take lessons! I’m like Jo, I’d be hard-pressed to pick out one favorite. Your granddaughter makes a spectacular butterfly! 🙂

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    1. Yes, this multi-tasking is beyond my powers really, but this was a fun post to put together, so I gave it a whirl. And I need to show others soon that didn’t make the cut.

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      1. I try sometimes. I like to let all the challenge hosts that I care and I’m thinking about them. So glad you joined us, Margaret. Cee says wonderful things about you.

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  24. A lovely, varied collection. I was surprised to recognise the style and signature of the Tudela portrait as C215 from Paris – a well travelled street artist.

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  26. Oh, I so love these, Margaret! What a fantastic collection and interesting views. If there is to be a favourite chosen, it would be the relaxing in Seville – and the wings! I’d love to be guided around too, but the only guide I usually have is a paper and map telling me where to go. No questions to be asked or answered then. I remember from Spain that I loved all their street art. You have so many wonderful ones in this post. Think I will have to save it!

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  27. Of all the street art I’ve seen this week Margaret, I think yours is my favorite. The art around the decayed building and your granddaughter’s butterfly wings are fantastic!

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