Last updated on December 4th, 2024
The Belgium street art scene is a colorful explosion of creativity. We’ve spent time wandering the streets of Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent, marveling at the stunning murals and quirky sidewalk art. These cities are like open-air galleries, with art around every corner.
The Belgian street art movement has deep roots, going back to the 1980s. Today, it’s a mix of old-school graffiti, comic strip art, and cutting-edge contemporary styles. What sets Belgium apart is how the cities embrace street art. Sure, there’s a lot of illegal graffiti, but there’s a LOT of artistic graffiti too. Many towns have special walls set aside for artists to paint freely. This openness has attracted top talent from around the world.
I’m not going to take you on a specific street art tour here, as there are just too many locations in the cities to spot great art. I will provide some links to maps that I found before our own trip. We did 6 days in northern Belgium. You can even book a street art tour in some cities if you don’t want to miss any gems.
But really, I just want to tell you about this little-known facet of Belgium and show you some examples of what we stumbled upon while we explored Brussels and the cities of Flanders.
Don’t miss the Street Art Cities app. It helped us find hidden gems we would’ve walked right past otherwise.
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The Roots of Belgium’s Street Art
Street art in Belgium has evolved from illegal graffiti to respected public art. It’s shaped cities and sparked debates about art in public spaces.
History of Street Art in Belgium
Street art in Belgium started to bloom in the 1980s. Graffiti artists took to the walls of Brussels and Antwerp. They were inspired by New York’s hip-hop scene. Crews formed and had fierce rivalries. They’d paint huge pieces on abandoned buildings and train yards.
The government cracked down hard at first. Fines and arrests were common. But attitudes slowly changed.
In the 1990s, street art got more accepted. Cities started to see its value. They set up legal walls for artists to paint on. This helped street art grow and improve.
I’ve seen old photos of early Belgian street art. It’s amazing how it’s changed! The simple tags of the past have turned into huge, detailed murals.
Cultural Significance
Street art is now a big part of Belgian culture. It’s gone from underground to mainstream. It reflects the country’s mix of people and ideas. Artists use walls to talk about social issues and share their views, and some even get paid to paint murals.
Street art has also boosted tourism. People come from all over to see famous pieces and it’s helped bring life to old neighborhoods. There are festivals and guided tours.
In Brussels, we spotted art that speaks to the city’s role in the EU. In Ghent, murals often show local history and folklore. It’s like an outdoor museum that changes all the time. I love how street art brings art to everyone. You don’t need to go to a gallery to see it. It’s right there on the streets, free for all to enjoy.
Belgium’s Most Famous Street Artists
Belgium has some amazing street artists who have made their mark on cities across the country. If you see their work firsthand you’ll be truly impressive. Follow these artists on social media. They often post about new pieces, so you can decide if you want to see their latest work in person.
Let me tell you about a few of the top names you should know.
ROA’s Iconic Animal Murals
ROA is a street artist from Ghent who paints huge black and white animals on buildings all over Belgium. His murals often show local wildlife like rabbits, birds, and rodents. ROA uses spray paint to create incredibly detailed fur and feathers.
What I love about ROA’s art is how it brings nature into urban spaces. His massive animals seem to come alive on the sides of buildings. ROA started out painting abandoned factories in his hometown. Now his work can be seen around the world.
Look for ROA’s signature skeletal animals – he sometimes paints the bones showing through the skin.
Bonom’s Enigmatic Pieces
Bonom is a mysterious Brussels-based artist known for daring and provocative works. I’ve come across his strange figures and creatures painted high up on buildings. He often works at night, scaling walls to leave his mark in hard-to-reach spots.
Bonom’s art has a dark, surreal quality. You might see a giant baby or creepy monster looming over the street. His pieces make you do a double-take. Part of the fun is trying to figure out how he managed to paint in such risky locations.
The artist keeps his identity secret, which adds to the intrigue of his work. Spotting a new Bonom piece is always exciting.
Smates and Large-Scale Realism
Bart Smeets, aka Smates, creates incredibly lifelike murals. I’m always blown away by the photorealistic quality of his work. He uses spray paint to produce images that look like giant photographs on walls.
Smates often paints portraits of people and animals. The level of detail is stunning – you can see every wrinkle and hair. He builds up layers of paint to create depth and texture. The end result looks 3D, like you could reach out and touch it.
Iconic Locations for Street Art in Belgium
The vibrant scenes in Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent really stood out to us.
Brussels: The Urban Canvas
Brussels is a street art paradise. We stumbled upon huge murals on building facades all over the city. The Comic Book Route was a highlight, with over 50 comic-themed paintings scattered around town. I loved spotting characters from Asterix, Tintin and The Smurfs.
Since a majority of these murals are in the center of Brussels, you can spot several while walking between the city’s attractions. Follow my Brussels in one day itinerary. The Marolles neighborhood is another area that’s packed with colorful pieces by local and international artists. Here’s the official list and route map for all the comic book pieces.
Check out Parcours Street Art via a guided tour. Over 150 artworks have turned the city into a sort of open-air museum, with new pieces constantly being added. Before you leave the city, think about buying some comic books as souvenirs from Belgium.
Smurfs Passage and Tintin on the Comic Book Route
Antwerp: The Artistic Hub
Antwerp’s street art scene is fantastic too. The city is a mix of old-school graffiti and new-school murals. We loved exploring the Sint-Andries district. It’s packed with colorful pieces by local and international artists.
The Luchtbal neighborhood is another hot spot. It’s home to some massive murals that cover entire buildings. The contrast between the art and the concrete jungle is stunning.
But it’s not just graffiti and murals here.
My favorite discovery was the Nello and Patrasche sculpture in the old town. It commemorates the novel “A Dog of Flanders”, the story of an orphan and his dog. They roamed the streets together and ultimately passed away side by side, succumbing to hypothermia in their sleep. I know – not heartwarming at all, but the sculpture is pretty cool! You’ll definitely come across this if you follow my guide to Antwerp sightseeing in one day.
Ghent: The Graffiti Paradise
Ghent’s Werregarenstraat, known as Graffiti Street, is wild. This little street is a constantly changing artwork. You can visit it multiple times in a few weeks and it will look totally different.
The city actually encourages artists to paint here. It’s legal and free to add your own work. We saw everything from tags to intricate murals. My advice? Visit early in the morning. You might catch artists in action, adding new work to the ever-changing canvas of Graffiti Alley.
Beyond Graffiti Alley, we found cool pieces all over Ghent’s historic center. The contrast of street art against medieval buildings is really something special.
Graffiti Street
The Dok Noord area is another must-visit spot. It’s an old industrial site that’s been transformed into a creative hub. The walls are covered in massive murals by world-famous artists.
Take a street art tour with a local guide or use this map by Sorry, Not Sorry to explore on your own. You can also use my Ghent in 2 days itinerary to combine street art spotting with the rest of your sightseeing.
Styles and Techniques in Belgian Street Art
Belgian street artists use many different styles and methods to create their work. We saw everything from spray paint to sculptures on the streets.
Stencils are super popular in Belgium. Artists cut out designs and spray paint through them to make sharp images fast. Freehand painting with spray cans is also big. Artists like ROA do amazing animal murals this way. You may also see artists using brushes and rollers to paint huge pieces.
Street installations are popping up all over Belgian cities. These 3D artworks really grab your attention. Some artists use found objects in clever ways. I stumbled on a bunch of old TVs stacked into a robot shape in a Brussels alley. Yarn bombing is catching on too. You may find a fun surprise of a tree or statue wrapped in colorful knitted wool somwhere!
Themes and Inspirations
Belgian street artists draw from a rich well of ideas. They use walls and sidewalks to share their thoughts on society, culture, and the environment.
Social and Political Commentary
Many artists in Belgium use their work to speak up about important issues. I’ve seen murals that tackle topics like inequality and racism.
Some artists poke fun at politicians through clever caricatures. Others highlight social problems with stark images. During elections, political street art pops up everywhere. It’s a colorful way for people to share their views.
Cultural Heritage and Identity
Belgian street art often celebrates local culture and history. Spot references to famous Belgian comics. These familiar characters add a playful touch to city streets.
Artists also draw inspiration from traditional Flemish and Walloon art. We saw modern takes on classic paintings by the Flemish Masters. Some murals honor Belgian icons like surrealist painter René Magritte. Others showcase local foods or folklore. It’s a great way to learn about Belgian culture just by walking around.
Even many bronze sculptures are not in the traditional vein. Take for example, the Pieter Appelmans Monument from 1935. It was created to honor the architect of Antwerp’s cathedral and his builders.
Environmental Awareness
Green themes are big in Belgian street art. You’ll notice several pieces about climate change and pollution.
Some artists use eco-friendly materials in their work. Others create temporary pieces that fade away naturally. It’s art that doesn’t just talk about protecting nature – it actually does it.
There are also murals that celebrate Belgium’s natural beauty. From the North Sea coast to the Ardennes forests.
Impact on Tourism and Economy
Street art has put Belgium on the map for many travelers. We’ve seen firsthand how colorful murals and clever sidewalk installations draw crowds of curious onlookers. Tour groups often stop to snap photos and learn about the artists.
Many shops and cafes near popular street art spots have seen a boost in business. Tourists looking for the perfect Instagram shot often grab a coffee or snack while exploring. Some clever business owners have even commissioned murals on their buildings to attract more foot traffic.
The street art scene has created new jobs too. Local artists get hired for big projects. Tour guides lead street art walks. Gift shops sell prints and postcards of famous murals.
Some cities have embraced street art as a way to revitalize run-down areas. Empty walls become canvases, transforming dull streets into vibrant open-air galleries. This can increase property values and attract new businesses to the neighborhood.
While it’s hard to measure the exact economic impact, it’s clear street art has become a valuable part of Belgium’s cultural landscape and tourism draw.
Preservation and Restoration
Street art in Belgium faces unique challenges when it comes to keeping it intact. Some efforts are being made to protect and fix up these outdoor works.
Challenges in Preserving Street Art
Street art doesn’t last forever. Weather, vandalism, and city cleanup crews can damage or remove pieces quickly. Amazing murals fade away after just a few years of sun and rain. Building owners sometimes paint over artwork without warning. It’s tricky to preserve something meant to be temporary.
Graffiti removal teams don’t always know what’s “art” versus illegal tagging. They might accidentally erase valuable pieces. There’s also debate about whether street art should be preserved at all, since many artists see it as fleeting by nature.
Efforts in Restoration and Protection
Some Belgian cities are working to save important street art. Workers will sometimes carefully touch up a faded mural by a famous artist. They use special paints to match the original. Antwerp has a “street art curator” who picks pieces to protect.
A few artists now use longer-lasting materials. Others document their work with photos and videos. Some building owners are putting up clear shields over murals. There’s even talk of moving certain pieces indoors to museums.
It’s a balancing act between keeping art accessible on the streets and making sure it survives. Maybe the best approach is to preserve a select few iconic works while letting most evolve naturally?
