9 Inspiring Graffiti Art Murals That You Should See

Is street art real art? That is still a question for many people. But that does not stop Graffiti artists from dedicating their works to urban walls.

Few people know that Graffiti art originated a long time ago, in the form of animal drawings on walls to express an identity and mark the territory of the prehistoric Indonesian community. Starting from that street, it continued to a modern street art movement in the 1960s in Philadelphia. Each work of street art is a wordless discourse expressing the artist's thoughts and the pursuit of social change through art.

Graffiti Art is no longer the exclusive domain of black American artists but has spread to the streets and alleys of cities from the world's major capitals such as Berlin, New York to the slums of Mumbai (India), the Saen Saep canal in Bangkok, and whether we admit it or not, it is an indispensable part of a city: a simple, accessible part, going beyond the traditional framework of art to reach the original freedom. 

Therefore, each famous graffiti art mural below is also a story about the city where they appear. Their existence until today is the most eloquent proof of how much urban citizens need street art.  

My God, Help Me to Survive this Deadly Love - Dmitri Vrubel

My God, Help Me to Survive this Deadly Love by Dmitri Vrubel is located in the Berlin Wall’s East Side Gallery. This historically significant section was transformed into an open-air gallery after the fall of the wall in 1989. 

The mural reimagines the famous photograph of Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and East German leader Erich Honecker sharing a fraternal kiss in 1979, symbolizing communist solidarity. Dmitri Vrubel brings new life to the black-and-white photograph, transforming it into a bold and dynamic piece of art. Dmitri Vrubel adds a modern, energetic feel while still honoring the powerful political message of the original image. 

The mural has become a popular attraction and a symbol of peace and unity, representing the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Berlin Wall. It continues to resonate with visitors from around the world. A work of profound significance expressing the essence of historical transformation through the lens of Graffiti Art.

Ethnicities - Eduardo Kobra

Ethnicities by Eduardo Kobra is a massive mural in the Port of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, created in time for the 2016 Rio Olympics. 

At over 190 meters (623 feet) long and 15 meters (49 feet) high, it is one of the largest murals in the world, covering an area of more than 3,000 square meters (32,000 square feet). The mural was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the largest graffiti mural by a single artist at the time of its completion.

The mural features the faces of five indigenous people from five different continents. These include the Huli from Papua New Guinea (Oceania), the Mursi from Ethiopia (Africa), the Kayin from Thailand (Asia), the Supi from Europe, and the Tapajós from Brazil (Americas). These figures draw inspiration from the Olympic rings, symbolizing the coming together of people from all over the world in a celebration of peace and humanity.

Flower Thrower - Banksy

Flower Thrower, also known as Love is in the Air, has heart-touching power. The artwork was originally painted on the West Bank Barrier wall in Jerusalem, near Bethlehem. Jerusalem is known as a place where takes place the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. Banksy uses art to comment on the themes of conflict and resistance, giving the piece a profound political context.

The mural depicts a protester dressed in black, complete with a cap and a bandana covering his face, who appears poised to throw an object. However, instead of a Molotov cocktail or a stone, he is throwing a bouquet. 

Seeing this Graffiti Art, we can feel the contrast between the imagery of violence and the gesture of peace. Love is a more potent force for change than aggression.

Over the years, Flower Thrower has transcended its original location, being reproduced in various forms, including prints and digital adaptations. It has become a widely recognized image associated with peaceful protest movements around the globe. 

Turnover - Shepard Fairey

Shepard Fairey gained international recognition for his OBEY campaign and Hope poster for Barack Obama. Turnover fits within his broader body of work that critiques systems of power, consumerism, and social inequality. The piece is an excellent example of how Fairey blends political commentary with graphic design and street art.

Turnover is part of Fairey’s exploration of societal control and authority, specifically the power dynamics between the ruling elite and the common people. The title "Turnover" itself suggests a change of power or the flipping of a system. 

Like much of Fairey’s work, Turnover features bold colors, geometric patterns, and layered imagery. The visual style is heavily influenced by Soviet propaganda posters, which Fairey often considered as a source of inspiration for communicating powerful messages.

The Wrinkles of the City - JR

The Wrinkles of the City is a Graffiti global art project by French street artist JR. The project uses large-scale, black-and-white photographic portraits of elderly people to be pasted onto city buildings. It creates a striking visual dialogue between human faces and urban environments.

This is a way to celebrate older generations by visually linking their life stories to the historical changes in the cities they live in. Each portrait highlights the "wrinkles" of both the people and the buildings they inhabit.

The Wrinkles of the City has been carried out in multiple locations, each with its own historical and cultural significance. JR has installed the work in cities such as Cartagena, Los Angeles, Havana, and Shanghai. In each city, JR collaborated with local elderly residents, capturing their likenesses and pasting enormous portraits on public buildings, decaying walls, and ruins. 

In cities like Havana, the project took on additional layers of meaning. There, JR's portraits of elderly citizens were juxtaposed against the backdrop of Cuba's revolutionary history. They are the country's older generations in a rapidly changing political and economic landscape. 

The installation in Shanghai recorded the modernization and urbanization that displaced much of the city's older architecture. The elders are individuals who deeply understand how that period took place.

Alongside the public art installations, JR has documented the project through photography and film. In collaboration with filmmaker Agnès Varda, he co-directed the film Faces Places (2017), telling the stories of everyday people in rural and urban areas. This work has been praised for its blend of artistic and sociological inquiry, shining a light on the human aspects of urban decay and regeneration.

Freedom - Tavar Zawacki

Freedom encapsulates many of the themes that have been central to Zawacki's artistic journey. Zawacki, who spent years working under the pseudonym "Above," used this piece to break away from the constraints of his former Graffiti artist identity. 

Anonymity is a common practice among Graffiti artists to protect their identities from legal repercussions. After revealing his true name in 2017, Zawacki sought to redefine himself as an artist. So, Freedom symbolizes not just physical or societal freedom, but the freedom to be true to oneself.

In Freedom, Zawacki uses vibrant geometric forms, clean lines, and bold color schemes. The piece likely features sharp triangles and arrows, symbols frequently used by Zawacki to convey direction, movement, and progress.

Clarity - Etam Cru

Etam Cru is a Polish artistic duo composed of Sainer (Przemysław Blejzyk) and Bezt (Mateusz Gapski). The outstanding features of their works are highly detailed, large-scale murals. Besides, they blend elements of Eastern European folklore, surrealism, modern urban culture. Clarity is no exception, encapsulating their signature style and imaginative storytelling through Graffiti art.

Clarity centers on themes of introspection, escape, and the search for understanding. A female figure in a fantastical setting, surrounded by symbolic objects such as water, floating elements, or animals. These dream-like scenes evoke a sense of mystery and invite viewers to interpret the symbolism in their own way. A calm, contemplative figure surrounded by dynamic and fluid elements, which creates a visual metaphor for finding stillness amidst life's chaos. 

The artwork suggests that clarity is found within, often in moments of stillness or isolation, despite the chaotic nature of the surrounding world.

Many of Etam Cru's works draw on Eastern European cultural references and folklore, and Clarity is similar. Elements such as traditional clothing, mythical creatures, or natural landscapes are traced to the artists' Polish heritage.

Elephant Playing with Butterflies - Ernest Zacharevic

Ernest Zacharevic has a unique way of creating powerful, whimsical, thought-provoking Graffiti art. Elephant Playing with Butterflies is a testament to his artistic philosophy. This mural merges childlike wonder with larger themes of nature.

The mural depicts a massive, lifelike elephant interacting delicately with a group of fluttering butterflies. The elephant represents power and the butterflies symbolize delicacy. Just take a look at this mural, you will easily immerse yourself in childhood memories of play and imagination.

The elephant is a symbol of strength, wisdom, and memory, contrasting with the butterflies, which symbolize transformation, freedom, and lightness. Together, they create a dialogue about the balance between power and gentleness, permanence and change. 

Besides, this mural is also a symbol of the coexistence of large, majestic creatures with the smaller, more fragile forms of life.

The Water Tank Project - Various Artists

The Water Tank Project is a unique public art initiative that transformed New York City's iconic rooftop water tanks into canvases for art. The special thing laid in it is created by various international and local artists. Launched in 2014, the project aimed to raise awareness about global water issues, such as access to clean drinking water and water conservation. Led by the non-profit organization Word Above the Street, the project fused art with activism, encouraging people to think about the critical role that water plays in everyday life.

Each artist approached the theme of water from a different angle, using the tanks as a way to communicate messages about scarcity, purity, pollution, and the value of this vital resource. The initiative was part of a larger movement to use public art as a platform for raising awareness and inspiring action on important global issues.

Beyond the artists, The Water Tank Project involved collaboration with environmental organizations, city officials, and the general public. It included educational programs aimed at schools and communities to raise awareness about water issues, along with partnerships with non-profits.

Conclusion

9 inspiring Graffiti art murals showcase the power of street art to transform urban landscapes and provoke thought. From political statements and cultural reflections to whimsical scenes and personal expressions, these works of art transcend traditional boundaries, turning public spaces into vibrant canvases that engage and inspire viewers. 

If you ever have the chance to see them, they are sure to leave a lasting impression. To see more of this colorful world, you can sign up for Skilltrans courses. These courses will be your gateway to the true beauty of art.