the street is our gallery

The growing acceptance for street art has been surprising over the past decade. It wasn’t long back when graffiti was a pain for most local authorities, who tried helplessly to keep their cities and towns clean from any “vandalism.” However, the popularity of street artists has led to a revolution of sorts where more countries are now allowing individuals to paint city walls with vibrant and colourful art.

What makes urban art genuinely fascinating is that it is multipurpose in its approach. There are still street artists who prefer to do it the old way, painting walls with social messages late at night, without taking any permissions from the authorities. However, there are also places where the city itself is inviting people to come up with murals that speak to the common public, be it through random art or artistic interpretations of causes we all need to focus on. While there are many metropolitans known for their street art, such as London, Los Angeles, Berlin, and Melbourne, around the world, there are also some lesser-known hidden gems that are slowly but actively keeping the trend alive.

Mangar Village, India
A small village situated half an hour from the capital of India, New Delhi, Mangar is all about living the simple life, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. However, driving through the village, one is bound to notice multiple murals on the walls primarily featuring Indian gods and goddesses. Even though all the art is unique and to some extent different in appearance and style, there is just one person behind it all. Ravinder is a local inhabitant whose love for art has led him to use any and all space available in the village to paint his creations. The street art in Mangar Village has a homely feel to it that resonated wonderfully with the welcoming nature of the locals.

Birmingham, UK
The “Second city of England” is typically known for its food. Whether it is mouth-watering preparations originating from the Indian subcontinent, the annual German Christmas market, or the Caribbean food festival, the city has a diverse population that also reflects through its many art ventures. Among the museums and historical sites is the growing trend of urban art in the city. Now, street art, in general, can be anything. It might be a homage to some of the greatest works ever like the iconic Coolidge’s Dogs Playing Poker, or in the case of Birmingham, a large mural promoting Peaky Blinders, a TV series that is close to the city’s notorious history. However, a stamp of approval of any town, wanting to make a name in the street art world, is when Banksy paints on its wall. That is precisely what happened recently in Birmingham when he did a brilliant piece bringing notice to the cause of homelessness in England.

Sr. X in Birmingham, UK

Lausanne, Switzerland
Although the Swiss have an inherent love for art, street art has been on the down-low in the country. That is not to say that it doesn’t exist. Instead, street art is thriving in side streets and hidden corners of most major Swiss towns. Lausanne is one such place, alongside Lake Geneva, where the avid enthusiast will find colourful murals and an abundance of street sculptures while exploring this beautiful Swiss town on foot.