Take Five Street Art Cities: Copenhagen, Paris, Brighton, Lisbon, Stockholm by Marie Cleland
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Want a city break with a difference? Check out some of Europe’s urban landscapes through the eyes of the artists who know them best...
1. Copenhagen – Victor Ash
Born in Portugal, a long-time resident of Paris, and now living and working in Copenhagen, Victor Ash helped pioneer the subway graffiti style in Europe in the 80s. One of his most recognised works is the Astronaut / Cosmonaut mural painting in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district.
What do you love about Copenhagen?
It’s not too big and not too small and there are lots of exciting things happening because it's a capital city. It’s easy and safe to get around, there is a huge interest in art, design and architecture and a good quality of life. And the nightlife is excellent.
Where are some of the best examples of street art in Copenhagen?
The neighbourhood of Nørrebro has loads of street art, especially around Sankt Hans Torv Square, which is a popular meeting point. There is also plenty of street art in Sydhavn at the graffiti “wall of fame” (Enghave Brygge).
Are there any galleries that support street art?
V1 Gallery (Flæsketorvet 69–71) has exhibited several international street artists, including Banksy and Shepard Fairey, and has loads of high quality work for sale in its storage room, including some of my work.
Where are the best places to eat and drink?
After gallery openings, people go to the restaurants and bars in Vesterbro, the former meat district. I often eat at LeLe (Vesterbro Torv), a Vietnamese restaurant. Then there is Karriere bar (Flaesketorvet 57-67), which features the work of some top international artists, and Jolene bar (Flaesketorvet 81-85), which features underground art.
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2. Paris – Blek le Rat
The legendary stencil artist Blek le Rat imbues his street art with a social conscience and has stencilled everywhere from Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin to Marrakesh. He has a new book out, Getting Through the Walls (Thames & Hudson) with long-time collaborator and wife Sybille Prou.
What do you love about Paris?
I love Paris because it's the city where I was born and lived until I was 42 years old. I know every centimetre of Paris by heart and that makes me feel very comfortable. I love to have coffee in a café, standing at the counter, listening to people talking.
Which part of the city is the centre for street art culture?
I think you can find street art everywhere in the city, you just have to watch the walls, the sidewalk. Belleville, in particular, is a melting pot of different cultures and very pulsating and that makes it really creative.
Are there any galleries that support street art?
Opera Gallery (356 Rue Saint Honore 75001) and Galerie Onega (60 Rue Mazarine 75006).
Where are the best places to eat and drink?
I love to spend time in the cafes of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. La Palette (43 Rue de Seine) is a place where I go very often and has been a typical place for artists for a long time.
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3. Brighton – Moose
“The world's dirt is probably the last thing anyone would have thought of reclaiming,” says clean-graffiti artist Moose, who from his base in Brighton searches out the streets’ grimiest canvases on which to spread his messages of environmental awareness.
What do you love about Brighton?
After living in Leeds for 20 years, moving to Brighton three years ago was like a breath of fresh air. The eccentricity of somewhere like Kemp Town is massively refreshing after spending time somewhere where you risked getting a punch for standing out. It’s our San Francisco, our Barcelona: arty, gay, bright and laidback.
Where are some of the best examples of street art in Brighton?
On the Churchill Square side of Dyke Road, opposite a church, is a wall I’ve been making for years—I keep going back to it. I’ve also started working on an amazing wall in the Brighton Marina that is covered in untouched lichen and moss in incredible colours, like bright orange.
Are there any galleries that support street art?
Ink_d (98 North Road) is known as an urban gallery. It ran a show about the history of stencil art last year and sells work by local street artists such as Pure Evil.
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4. Lisbon - Odeith
Currently living in London, Portuguese street artist Odeith started out bombing but moved on to large-scale murals in the late 90s. He now produces work on canvas as well as honing a new anamorphic, 3D style of graffiti.
What do you love about Lisbon?
One of the best things is the food. And the old traditions that still live on in the streets. I also love it that Lisbon has a lot of large-scale street art and murals—almost on every street.
Where are some of the best examples of street art in Lisbon?
The only legal graffiti wall in Lisbon is in Amoreiras, near Avenida Conselheiro Fernando de Sousa. Everybody wants to paint there and there is a lot of work on it. I have a lot of work in Amadora, in a town called Damaia near Lisbon.
Which part of the city is the centre for street art culture?
The walls of Bairro Alto, the oldest part of Lisbon, are completely tagged because graffiti writers who come to Lisbon from around the world know it is the place you put up your name.
Are there any galleries that support street art?
In-Cubo gallery (Rua D Pedro V 56 A) in Bairro Alto exhibits street art, and sometimes shows go up in temporary spaces. Plus artists, including myself, sell work on their websites.
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5. Stockholm – Baluster
Graffiti artist Baluster is known as the "spider in the net" of Stockholm’s street art scene and runs underground store Atlasmuren.
Where are some of the best examples of street art in Stockholm?
Take the green subway line to Sankt Eriksplan and walk towards the bridge, but just before the water, take the stairs on your right. If you’re lucky they won’t have buffed the area in a while and you’ll see a lot of beautiful street art. Otherwise, Södermalm district is good, especially around the Slussen subway (red and green line).
Are there any galleries that support street art?
There are no galleries specialising in street art, but there are exhibitions now and then. If you come see me at my Atlasmuren store (Hornsgatan 52) I can tell you what’s going on, or check out one of the Highlights graffiti stores (Östgötagatan 16 or Sankt Eriksgatan 64).
Where are the best places to eat and drink?
Sofo (South Of Folkungagatan Street) is the place to go—have breakfast at Café String (Nytorgsgatan 38). If you dare, your next stop should be the anarchic Kafe44 (Tjärhovsgatan 46), which sometimes has live bands. For low price beer, go to Söderkällaren (Tjärhovsgatan).
See the newly emerging street art scene in Sweden. Book a stay at one of our luxury hotels in Stockholm.