street galleries

In recent years street art has been refined from the chaotic, calligraphic expressions of the 80s and 90s into many different styles and complex forms. Many people still think of graffiti and other street art as a simple, crude defacement of public or private property.

Graffiti wall on Regent's Canal

But as art techniques have evolved and learning has become more accessible, self-taught artists are transforming street walls into galleries. And unlike a painting in the museum, street art shifts, changes and grows layers over time.

Art by Rosie Woods

The rise of photorealistic, beautiful street art came when artists were given resources, time and opportunity to express their ideas. A big city has many mainstream art galleries that might not accept up-and-coming muralists, but it also has large walls in areas of lower police oversight. 

Art by David Speed

Like the iconic Banksy, many artists achieve a name through their distinctive street art style. David Speed is a UK artist famous for creating wall-sized portraits in neon pink and black. His work often looks more like a fashion shoot than a work of graffiti.

His portraits are usually of women, and the large size and strong colours paired with the delicate style and sensitive faces immediately catch the eye. These pink pieces can brighten up a routine walk through a busy street or a long bus ride at the end of the day.

A while ago wonder | wander | women noticed a new series of David Speed portraits popping up around town in his signature pink and black - this time of Greek goddesses.

We usually see faces like these in a museum, carved in white marble. But here they are looming at the end of a street or over a bus stop, larger than life and in blazing colour - a startling experience. The dash of blue sky painted in the background adds an air of fantasy.

Art by David Schmidt

David Schmidt (aka DS) is a UK stencil artist who paints tattooed angels and cupids all over London in shades of grey. DS's art uses the supernatural to highlight real-world issues like war and climate change.

But sometimes his art is just playful, like these cupids painted on a pair of telephone boxes "talking" to each other. The cupids are stencilled in grey, white and black, with red accents for their rose tattoos.

In an age where most children have cellphones and even landline phones are outdated, the phone cups are almost as mythical as the cupids themselves.

Street art is one of the most dynamic - and democratic! - forms of art. Anyone can exhibit or appreciate it. There are no limits. And wonder | wander | women will continue to seek out and enjoy it wherever we can find it.

Bernini tribute, artist unknown, Italy 2019