Famous works of street art
Graphic, humorous, poetic or political, this art born in the streets of Philadelphia in the 1960s has conquered the whole world in a few decades. Still and always subversive, he even invites himself into the galleries and has definitely found his place in the contemporary art market. Here are 10 stunning works from today’s urban scene!
Jef Aerosol “Chuuuttt !!!”
This huge 350 m² stencil was created by the Frenchman Jef Aerosol in 2011. It is located in Paris, near the Centre Pompidou, opposite the Tinguely fountain. This self-portrait work is an invitation to calm, silence, a proposal for a break in the heart of urban noise… but also respect for artistic creation, in connection with the Centre Pompidou.
Thoma Vuille “M. Chat”
Since the late 1990s, yellow cats with large smiles have flourished on the walls of all of France. We owe this character, M.Chat, to Thoma Vuille, a Franco-Swiss urban artist who suffered many setbacks with justice because of his works. In 2004, the yellow cat had even invited itself in very large format on the forecourt of the Centre Pompidou!
Banksy “La Petite Fille au ballon”
The Englishman Banksy is probably the most famous street artist in the world, since the early 2000s. In 2002, he created the Little Girl Balloon Stencil on the Waterloo Bridge in South Bank. A child in her black dress lets a heart-shaped balloon fly away. "There is always hope," he writes. This is the silkscreened version that was the subject of one of the biggest buzz of 2018! Banksy’s works are often humorous, anti-militarist and anti-system. By its simple identity, the street artist remains a profound mystery…
JR “Inside Out Project”
French street artist, JR decorates the walls of the whole world with his huge portraits of anonymous in black and white. Initiated in 2011, his project Inside Out was born thanks to the American TED prize that the artist received for «changing the world».
iHeart “Nobody likes me”
A symbol of a hyper-connected society, the work of Canadian artist iHeart takes us back to the quest for a very current e-reputation. Or how a crying child, smartphone in hand, demonstrates the crucial wait before the Internet praises him for his multiple prowess.
Invader “Space Invader”
The urban mosaics of artist Invader often ask to raise your head. He puts on the walls icons of video games or cartoons. His first «Space Invader» was installed near the Place de la Bastille in 1996; since then, the artist has installed it all over the world.
Shepard Fairey “Obey”
The American Shepard Fairey is a great name for urban art. Starting with the work «Obey» displayed in the form of posters and stickers, he launched a street movement entitled «Obey Giant». A screen and illustrator, he made an international name in 2008 for having created the famous poster «Hope» for Barack Obama during the US presidential elections.
Miss. Tic “Muses et Hommes”
It is difficult to choose a single work of the artist Miss. Tic. His poetic and witty stencils are particularly visible on the walls of the 13th arrondissement of Paris. A feminist and committed artist, her works depict women with devious “slogans”.
Os Geomos “The Giant of Boston”
The twin brothers nicknamed Os Geomos dressed one of the facades of Rose Kennedy Greenway Park in Boston in 2012. An immense fresco that colours the city thanks to this yellow character, emblematic of the universe of the Brazilian duo.
Keith Haring “We the youth”
The activist artist Keith Haring (who died far too early in 1990) left his mark on the world of Pop Art and Street Art. He is indeed one of the first artists to create wall frescoes. Recognizable among a thousand thanks to his unique style, he directed «We the youth» in 1987 in Philadelphia. Today it is the only mural by Keith Harring that remains intact at its original site.
