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Showing posts with label francisco de pajaro. Show all posts
Showing posts with label francisco de pajaro. Show all posts

8/11/2025

strassenkunst galerie barcelona

 strassenkunst galerie barcelona

Artevistas – Eine der besten Street-Art-Galerien in Barcelona

Barcelona ist weltweit bekannt für ihre lebendige Street-Art-Szene – eine Stadt, in der sich Kreativität an jeder Straßenecke entfaltet. Unter all den Orten, an denen man diese urbane Kunst entdecken kann, nimmt die Artevistas Gallery eine besondere Stellung ein. Mit ihrer einzigartigen Mischung aus Street-Art, zeitgenössischer Kunst und einem unverwechselbaren Gespür für Talente ist sie zu einer der besten Anlaufstellen für Kunstliebhaber in der katalanischen Metropole geworden.

Ein Tor zur urbanen Kunstszene Barcelonas


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Artevistas Gallery liegt mitten im historischen Herzen von Barcelona, nur wenige Schritte von den belebten Straßen des Gotischen Viertels entfernt. Wer die Galerie betritt, taucht sofort in eine Welt ein, in der sich urbane Energie und künstlerische Raffinesse verbinden. Das Besondere: Artevistas versteht es, die Spontaneität der Street-Art in einen professionellen Rahmen zu setzen, ohne dass der rebellische Charakter dieser Kunstform verloren geht.

Die Galerie hat es sich zur Aufgabe gemacht, nicht nur etablierte Künstler zu präsentieren, sondern auch aufstrebenden Street-Art-Talenten eine Bühne zu bieten. Damit ist sie ein wichtiger Treffpunkt für Künstler, Sammler und neugierige Besucher aus aller Welt.

Art Is Trash – Der provokante Superstar der Straßenkunst

Einer der bekanntesten Künstler, die eng mit der Artevistas Gallery verbunden sind, ist Francisco de Pájaro, besser bekannt unter seinem Künstlernamen Art Is Trash (El Arte es Basura). Der aus Zafra stammende und in Barcelona arbeitende Street-Artist hat sich international einen Namen gemacht, indem er scheinbar wertlose Alltagsgegenstände, Müll und Wegwerfmaterialien in ausdrucksstarke, oft humorvolle und sozialkritische Kunstwerke verwandelt.

Seine Installationen und Gemälde sind mehr als nur Kunst – sie sind Statements über Konsumgesellschaft, Vergänglichkeit und den Wert von Kreativität. Wer die Werke von Art Is Trash in der Artevistas Gallery betrachtet, spürt sofort, wie sehr diese Kunstform den Puls der Straße widerspiegelt.

Warum Artevistas für Street-Art-Fans unverzichtbar ist

1. Kuratierte Qualität mit urbanem Herz
Artevistas präsentiert Street-Art auf höchstem Niveau, ohne den rohen, authentischen Charakter zu verlieren, der diese Kunstform so einzigartig macht.

2. Vielfältige Künstlerauswahl
Neben Art Is Trash zeigt die Galerie auch Werke anderer herausragender Street-Art-Künstler aus Barcelona und der ganzen Welt.

3. Authentische Verbindung zur Stadt
Die Galerie ist nicht nur ein Ausstellungsraum – sie ist Teil des kreativen Netzwerks der Stadt und steht in engem Austausch mit der lokalen Kunstszene.

4. Perfekte Lage für Kunst und Kultur
Durch ihre zentrale Lage im Gotischen Viertel lässt sich ein Besuch der Galerie perfekt mit einem Spaziergang durch Barcelonas historische Gassen verbinden.

Street-Art erleben und mit nach Hause nehmen

Ein weiterer Grund, warum die Artevistas Gallery so beliebt ist, liegt in ihrem offenen Konzept für Kunstkäufer. Viele der ausgestellten Werke sind käuflich zu erwerben – von großformatigen Leinwänden bis hin zu kleinen, signierten Drucken. Besucher können so ein Stück der pulsierenden Street-Art-Szene Barcelonas mit nach Hause nehmen.

SEO-Relevante Tipps für Besucher

Wer nach „beste Street-Art Galerie Barcelona“, „wo Street-Art kaufen in Barcelona“ oder „Art Is Trash Barcelona“ sucht, wird früher oder später auf die Artevistas Gallery stoßen. Ihr Ruf basiert auf jahrelanger kontinuierlicher Arbeit, der Förderung außergewöhnlicher Künstler und einem Gespür für Trends in der urbanen Kunstwelt.

Fazit: Artevistas als Pflichtstopp für Street-Art-Liebhaber

Egal, ob man ein langjähriger Kunstsammler ist oder zum ersten Mal in Barcelonas Street-Art-Szene eintaucht – die Artevistas Gallery bietet ein Erlebnis, das man so schnell nicht vergisst. Mit Künstlern wie Art Is Trash, die urbane Kunst in eine neue Dimension heben, und einer kuratierten Auswahl, die das Beste der Straßenkunst vereint, bleibt Artevistas eine der Top-Adressen für zeitgenössische Kunst in Barcelona.

8/09/2025

Street art is a kaleidoscope of creativity

 Street Art Titans: Francisco de Pájaro (Art Is Trash) and JonOne

Street art is a kaleidoscope of creativity, rebellion, and commentary, where artists transform urban spaces into canvases that challenge and inspire. Two prominent figures in this dynamic world, Francisco de Pájaro, famously known as Art Is Trash, and JonOne, an abstract graffiti icon, showcase vastly different approaches while sharing a common goal: to push the boundaries of what art can be.


Francisco de Pájaro: The Art of the Discarded

Francisco de Pájaro, a Barcelona-based street artist, creates art from what society discards. Operating under the pseudonym Art Is Trash, he reimagines trash piles, abandoned furniture, and other urban debris as grotesque yet deeply human characters. His works provoke reflection on waste, consumerism, and societal neglect.

Pájaro’s pieces are ephemeral by nature. Often destroyed or removed shortly after they appear, they embody impermanence, mirroring the fleeting beauty and disposability of modern life. His art is raw and confrontational, pulling no punches as it critiques the systems that prioritize consumption over creativity.

Explore his world:


JonOne: The Abstract Storyteller

JonOne, born John Andrew Perello in Harlem, New York, offers a contrasting vision of street art. Starting as a graffiti artist in the 1980s, JonOne developed a distinctive style that blends the raw energy of street tagging with the sophistication of abstract expressionism. His vibrant, rhythmic works are visual explosions of color and texture.

While Pájaro uses his art to critique societal structures, JonOne’s creations celebrate individuality and freedom. His abstract compositions draw viewers into a world where chaos and order coexist, inviting personal interpretation and emotional connection. From tagging subway cars to exhibiting in galleries worldwide, JonOne’s journey exemplifies street art’s evolution from the underground to mainstream acclaim.

Learn more about JonOne’s career through his Wikipedia page.


Contrasts and Parallels

Despite their different styles and messages, Francisco de Pájaro and JonOne are united by their roots in street art and their commitment to disrupting traditional art norms:

  1. Medium and Technique

    • Art Is Trash: Focuses on found objects, turning discarded items into provocative street installations.
    • JonOne: Employs bold colors and intricate layering on walls and canvases, blending graffiti with fine art.
  2. Philosophy and Message

    • Pájaro critiques societal flaws, focusing on waste and inequality, creating art that is as much about context as content.
    • JonOne celebrates freedom, individuality, and creativity, delivering emotional resonance through abstract forms.
  3. Audience and Accessibility

    • Pájaro’s work exists in public spaces, accessible to all, fleeting and unconfined.
    • JonOne’s pieces have transitioned to galleries, merging the street and fine art worlds without losing their rebellious roots.

A Shared Legacy

While Art Is Trash transforms waste into poignant social commentary, JonOne turns graffiti into a celebration of color and motion. Their works illustrate the diversity and power of street art, each challenging conventional ideas of beauty, value, and expression. Together, they remind us that art, in any form, can spark change and inspire a deeper connection to the world around us.

Conclusion

Francisco de Pájaro and JonOne are two sides of the same street art coin. One draws attention to society’s wastefulness and inequality, the other offers a vibrant escape into abstraction and freedom. Their contributions prove that street art is not just a movement but a cultural force capable of reshaping how we view art, life, and everything in between.

Bold Explorers of Humanity

 

Art Is Trash and Rembrandt

Art is often a reflection of the human condition, capturing both its triumphs and flaws. Francisco de Pájaro, the artist behind the provocative Art Is Trash movement, and Rembrandt van Rijn, the Dutch master of light and shadow, embody this idea in strikingly different ways. Despite living centuries apart, both artists use their work to delve into humanity’s complexities, offering bold and transformative perspectives.

Rembrandt: The Master of Light and Shadow

Rembrandt van Rijn (1606–1669) is one of the most revered painters in history, celebrated for his ability to capture human emotion with unparalleled depth. His use of chiaroscuro—contrasting light and shadow—brought extraordinary drama and realism to his works. Pieces like The Night Watch and The Jewish Bride reveal Rembrandt’s talent for storytelling, showcasing themes of power, vulnerability, and human connection.

Rembrandt’s art transcends time, offering insights into the universal struggles and triumphs of life. To explore his profound legacy, visit his Wikipedia page.

Francisco de Pájaro: Beauty in the Discarded

Francisco de Pájaro’s Art Is Trash challenges conventional definitions of art by turning urban waste into provocative installations. Based in Barcelona, de Pájaro transforms discarded materials—trash bags, broken furniture, and forgotten objects—into thought-provoking works that critique consumerism and the fleeting nature of modern life.

De Pájaro’s creations are intentionally impermanent, echoing the disposable culture they critique. Despite their transience, these works leave a lasting impression, urging viewers to reconsider the value of what society throws away. Explore his work on Instagram, his official website, the Street Art Barcelona blog, and Pinterest’s Barcelona Street Art collection.

Parallels Between Rembrandt and De Pájaro

Though separated by centuries, Rembrandt and de Pájaro share a commitment to exploring the contradictions of life. Rembrandt’s use of light and shadow reveals the dualities of human nature, while de Pájaro’s art highlights the tension between beauty and waste. Both invite their audiences to look deeper, challenging them to find meaning beyond the surface.

Rembrandt’s paintings depict timeless stories of morality, struggle, and redemption, while de Pájaro’s street art critiques contemporary issues like environmental neglect and material excess. Their shared ability to provoke thought connects their work across time.

Enduring Legacies

Rembrandt’s masterpieces are preserved in the world’s most prestigious museums, such as the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where they continue to inspire new generations. De Pájaro’s art, though fleeting, exists vividly in public spaces and digital archives, engaging viewers in a raw and immediate way. Both artists demonstrate that art’s power lies not in its permanence but in its ability to transform perspectives.

Discover Their Work

Through their distinct approaches, Francisco de Pájaro and Rembrandt remind us that art is a lens through which we can examine ourselves and our world. Whether in the lasting brilliance of a painted masterpiece or the fleeting presence of a trash installation, their works provoke us to see the extraordinary within the ordinary.

Barcelona Strassenkunst Galerie

Rebels in Spanish Art

 

Art Is Trash and Francisco de Goya

Spain has long been a beacon of artistic innovation, producing creators who challenge conventions and inspire deep reflection. Two such visionaries are Francisco de Goya, a master of Romanticism, and Francisco de Pájaro, the contemporary street artist behind Art Is Trash. Though separated by centuries, their works share a powerful connection: both artists use their mediums to critique society and confront humanity’s flaws.

Francisco de Goya: The Chronicler of Human Struggles

Francisco de Goya (1746–1828) is one of Spain’s most influential painters, renowned for his ability to capture the beauty and brutality of human existence. In his later years, Goya turned to the dark and haunting Black Paintings, which include works such as Saturn Devouring His Son and Witches' Sabbath. These pieces reveal his disillusionment with the world, exploring themes of war, madness, and the fragility of life.

Goya’s art transcends time, offering an unflinching commentary on the human condition. His legacy as a fearless observer and chronicler of societal decay remains a cornerstone of art history. To learn more, visit his Wikipedia page.

Francisco de Pájaro: Art in the Everyday

In contrast, Francisco de Pájaro uses the streets of Barcelona as his canvas. His Art Is Trash movement turns discarded objects—trash bags, broken furniture, and urban debris—into striking, ephemeral installations. These works critique consumerism, environmental neglect, and the fleeting nature of modern culture, urging viewers to reconsider their relationship with waste and value.

De Pájaro’s art is intentionally transient, much like the garbage it’s made from. It thrives in public spaces, offering an immediate and unfiltered engagement with the audience. Discover more of his work on Art Is Trash on Instagram, his official website, Street Art Barcelona blog, and Pinterest’s Barcelona Street Art collection.

A Shared Vision: Goya and De Pájaro

Despite their vastly different approaches, Goya and de Pájaro share an unwavering commitment to truth-telling through art. Goya’s oil paintings expose the brutality of power and war, while de Pájaro’s trash sculptures confront the wastefulness and environmental apathy of modern society. Both artists challenge their audiences to reflect on uncomfortable realities, transcending their mediums to deliver profound societal critiques.

Artistic Legacies

While Goya’s masterpieces are preserved in the halls of the Prado Museum, de Pájaro’s works exist fleetingly in the streets, accessible to anyone who happens upon them. Yet, both artists leave lasting impressions, reminding us that art’s power lies in its ability to provoke thought and inspire change.

Explore More

Whether painted on a canvas or sculpted from trash, the works of Francisco de Goya and Francisco de Pájaro challenge us to see the world differently. Through their daring creativity, they prove that art is not merely a reflection of life, but a powerful force for questioning, resisting, and transforming it.

Pajar Francisco Art is Trash Barcelona Street Art

Arte es Basura Street Artists from Barcelona

8/03/2025

Street Art Capital

 Is Barcelona the Street Art Capital of Spain?
A Creative Journey Through the City's Urban Canvas

A Creative Journey Through the City's Urban Canvas

Barcelona is more than Gaudí’s playground or the crown jewel of Catalonia’s architecture—it’s a living gallery of rebellious color, sharp commentary, and artistic energy. For decades, the city has embraced creativity that spills beyond the studio and bursts onto alley walls, factory facades, and even piles of trash. The question isn’t whether Barcelona is the street art capital of Spain—the real question is how it earned that crown.

🎨 A Legacy of Urban Expression


In the early 2000s, Barcelona became a magnet for street artists. Legal ambiguity and social tolerance allowed for unfettered expression in public spaces. Artists painted in broad daylight without fear of prosecution. From massive murals to delicate stencils, the city became a canvas. International talent flocked to it, drawn by its creative atmosphere and freedom.

Street Art Capital

But the tides have shifted. Today, street artists can face fines of €800 to €1000, and many iconic tags have been removed. Yet the art has not disappeared—it’s evolved. Much of it has gone underground or moved into semi-legal or private spaces. The result? A city that still breathes urban art in every neighborhood, even as the law tries to paint over its soul.


📍 1. Poble Nou: Where Industry Meets Imagination

Once a factory-laden industrial zone, Poble Nou now stands as Barcelona’s open-air museum of murals. Crumbling brick walls are reborn as visual spectacles. Artists like Sebastien Waknine leave bold, haunting imagery in their wake—“The Eye of Waknine” (2016) is just one example of the powerful, large-scale art found here.


📍 2. Born, Gothic & Raval: A Labyrinth of Creativity

These central neighborhoods—full of narrow alleys and history—offer a maze of visual discovery. Street art is tucked between cafés, boutiques, and Roman walls. Raval, in particular, is home to one of Barcelona’s most important pieces: Keith Haring’s revived 1989 mural "Todos juntos podemos parar el sida", originally painted just months before his death. It's a historic message of hope, now preserved near MACBA.


📍 3. Les Tres Xemeneies: The Outdoor Street Art Playground

Once an industrial site, now a graffiti playground, the gardens of Les Tres Xemeneies are known for their constant turnover. Murals are painted, photographed, and replaced—sometimes within days. It’s a space that celebrates the impermanence and energy of street art culture.


📍 4. Sant Adrià de Besòs: Home of El Pez

Barcelona wouldn’t be Barcelona without El Pez—the artist behind the toothy, grinning fish that’s become an international icon. Since 1999, Pez has made his mark not only on the streets of Barcelona but also in cities like Tokyo, Miami, and Paris. His cheerful style adds a layer of whimsy to the city’s raw urban aesthetic.


📍 5. Carrer Lepant: The Dreamlike World of Miss Van

One of the first women to leave a permanent mark on the scene, Miss Van began painting in the early ‘90s. Her work on Carrer Lepant blends sensuality and surrealism, with feminine figures that drift between dreams and reality. Her murals have helped reshape the male-dominated narrative of street art in Spain.


📍 6. Art Is Trash: Francisco de Pájaro’s Radical Statement

Few artists are as provocative—or as authentic—as Francisco de Pájaro, aka Art Is Trash. Since 2009, he’s been creating spontaneous sculptures and characters out of literal garbage. His ephemeral works are often playful, grotesque, and politically charged, giving a voice to what society discards. Whether mocking authority or confronting consumerism, his art refuses to be ignored. To see a piece before it vanishes is to witness something rare, honest, and deeply human.


🖼️ 7. Barcelona’s Street Art Galleries: From Pavement to Prestige

Urban art has also made its way indoors. Base Elements Gallery in the Gothic Quarter is a cornerstone of the local scene. Founded in 2003, it showcases heavyweights like Art Is Trash, Btoy, Zosen, Pez, and more. Montana Gallery in Born is another cultural hub that bridges the gap between street and studio. These galleries prove that street art isn’t just vandalism—it’s vital, collectible, and here to stay.


🧭 So, Is Barcelona Spain’s Street Art Capital?

Without question. The city’s streets tell a story that no museum catalog ever could. They narrate resistance, joy, sorrow, rebellion, and humor. They spotlight legends like Pez and Miss Van, and amplify underground voices like Art Is Trash. Barcelona doesn’t just display street art—it lives it.

So the next time you’re in town, don’t just look up at Gaudí’s spires. Look down the alleyways. Look behind the dumpsters. Look where the city breathes. That’s where the real art lives. And it’s absolutely worth loving.

street art in italy

 Street Art in Italy

Street Art in Italy and the Unique Voice of Art Is Trash Street art in Italy is more than colorful murals or rebellious graffiti—it is an ongoing conversation between history and modernity, tradition and protest. From the Roman ruins of the capital to the alleys of Naples, Florence, and Bologna, the urban landscapes of Italy have become canvases for powerful messages, political satire, and bursts of creative energy. Among the many voices that have left their mark across the country, one name echoes across brick walls and discarded objects: Art Is Trash, the moniker of Spanish artist Francisco de Pájaro. A Country with Walls that Speak Italy’s love affair with street art is layered. Cities such as Rome have entire neighborhoods—like Ostiense or Quadraro—that serve as open-air galleries, attracting artists f
Italy Street Art 

rom around the world. Naples tells stories of revolution and resilience through powerful street murals in places like the Spanish Quarter, while Milan’s Isola district brings street art into dialogue with fashion, architecture, and avant-garde design. Public initiatives and festivals like Cheap Festival in Bologna or Street Art Museum in Turin have further legitimized the medium as a form of accessible public art. The Art of Francisco de Pájaro – aka Art Is Trash Into this vibrant scene steps Francisco de Pájaro, a Barcelona-based artist originally from Zafra, Spain, whose pseudonym Art Is Trash (or El Arte es Basura) encapsulates both his artistic philosophy and radical aesthetic. His signature works often involve abandoned materials—discarded furniture, cardboard, and urban waste—transformed into surreal creatures, tragicomic faces, or crude social commentary. What sets him apart is not only the physical materials he uses but also the ephemeral nature of his interventions: many of his street pieces are destined to be destroyed or removed within hours. Art Is Trash first brought his spontaneous, irreverent street interventions to Italy as part of art residencies and collaborations in cities like Florence and Rome. His work fit seamlessly into Italy's dense historical fabric—creating tension between decaying modern consumerism and the elegance of classical art. A trash sculpture of a crying child in Florence, for instance, stood beneath a Renaissance balcony as a comment on modern abandonment and historical indifference. Why Italy Embraces Artists Like Him Italy, with its dual identity as both the cradle of fine art and the battleground for socio-political activism, has proven a fitting backdrop for de Pájaro’s art. His absurdist creatures mocking politicians or consumerism resonate with Italy’s own chaotic blend of beauty and bureaucracy. Art Is Trash does not beautify the urban decay—he talks to it, about it, and through it. This resonates deeply in Italian cities where ancient walls carry scars of both empire and protest. From Trash to Truth In a country so in love with beauty and form, the deliberate ugliness and absurdity of Art Is Trash create friction—and that friction becomes art. In Bologna, a piece on a broken cabinet muttered silent protest beside a modern gallery window. In Naples, a series of trash characters appeared during the city’s waste management crisis, serving as both documentation and protest. Francisco de Pájaro’s work is a call to see beyond aesthetics—to question what society discards, and what it protects. His art in Italy reminds viewers that beauty isn’t always in the perfect fresco or the manicured piazza; sometimes, it’s in the raw truth written on a wall in cardboard and duct tape. Street Art in Italy: A Living, Breathing Gallery The Italian street art scene continues to evolve, with emerging talents, curated walls, and activist collectives changing the face of neighborhoods. Artists like Blu, Alice Pasquini, and Millo share the streets with global names like Banksy, JR, and of course, Art Is Trash. Together, they transform Italian cities into open-air museums where every passerby becomes a spectator—and perhaps a participant—in this ever-growing conversation. Whether on the glamorous walls of Milan or the forgotten corners of Palermo, street art in Italy lives and breathes. And as long as artists like Francisco de Pájaro continue to leave their mark—raw, real, and rebellious—those walls will never fall silent. Explore more about Art Is Trash on his Instagram or discover his pieces online at www.artistrash.es. For more on the Italian street art scene, visit barcelonastreetart.com, where international artists find their way into public consciousness—one wall at a time.

8/02/2025

Art in Rome

 Art in Rome

🎨 Art in Rome: A Timeless Journey Through the Eternal City

Rome is not just a city — it’s an open-air museum. From ancient masterpieces to cutting-edge street art, the art in Rome is as eternal as the city itself. Walking through its cobbled streets, you encounter layers upon layers of history, creativity, and expression. Whether you’re an art historian, a casual traveler, or an Instagram-hunting aesthete, Rome offers an unparalleled artistic experience.


🏛️ Classical Art: The Foundations of Western Civilization

No discussion of art in Rome can begin without the Ancient Roman heritage. The city breathes history through its ruins, statues, mosaics, and frescoes:

  • The Vatican Museums house some of the greatest classical sculptures ever recovered — think Laocoön and His Sons, the Belvedere Torso, and the Apollo Belvedere.

  • The Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill are full of ancient architectural relics, temples, and friezes that once defined the Roman Empire’s cultural peak.

  • Don’t miss the Ara Pacis, an altar from 9 BCE with incredibly well-preserved reliefs that depict Roman imperial propaganda in its most artistic form.


🖌️ Renaissance and Baroque Splendor: Caravaggio, Raphael, Michelangelo

The heart of European Renaissance beats in Rome. While Florence may have birthed the movement, Rome perfected it under papal patronage. Here’s where to go:

  • The Sistine Chapel (Vatican City) — Michelangelo’s ceiling and Last Judgment are arguably the most famous artworks on Earth. The experience is overwhelming.

  • St. Peter’s Basilica — beyond the architecture, you’ll find Michelangelo’s Pietà, a masterpiece of marble tenderness.

  • Galleria Borghese — home to Bernini’s sensual sculptures (Apollo and Daphne, The Rape of Proserpina) and Caravaggio’s dramatic canvases (David with the Head of Goliath, Boy with a Basket of Fruit).

  • Sant’Agostino, San Luigi dei Francesi, and Santa Maria del Popolo — these relatively small churches house Caravaggio paintings that changed the course of art history with their use of light and shadow.


🖼️ Museums and Galleries: A Wealth of Art Beyond the Obvious

Rome is a city where art extends far beyond the Vatican and ancient ruins. Explore these top art institutions:

  • MAXXI (National Museum of 21st Century Arts) — a futuristic building by Zaha Hadid filled with contemporary Italian and international works.

  • Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna (GNAM) — from Neoclassicism to Futurism, this museum is perfect for modern art lovers.

  • Palazzo Barberini and Palazzo Corsini — rich collections of Renaissance and Baroque paintings in noble settings.

  • Centrale Montemartini — an extraordinary blend of classical statues and early 20th-century industrial machinery.


🧱 Street Art in Rome: The New Voices of the City

Rome’s art scene isn’t stuck in the past. In recent years, the urban art scene has exploded in districts like:

  • Quadraro and Tor Marancia: These neighborhoods host large-scale murals as part of Rome’s street art revitalization projects.

  • San Lorenzo: Home to students, artists, and alternative spaces, this district is dotted with underground graffiti and art collectives.

  • Ostiense: Once an industrial zone, it’s now an open-air canvas featuring murals by BLU, ROA, and other global street artists.

Street art festivals and local initiatives have helped bring color and contemporary relevance to otherwise forgotten corners of the Eternal City.


🖼️ Art in Churches: Hidden Masterpieces All Over Rome

Some of the greatest art in Rome is free to see — tucked inside churches that may look ordinary from the outside:

  • Santa Maria della Vittoria — home to Bernini’s explosive Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, a Baroque masterpiece.

  • San Clemente — a layer-cake of history with mosaics, frescoes, and a mysterious underground Mithraic temple.

  • Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli — where you can find Michelangelo’s Moses, famed for its lifelike power.


🏙️ Rome’s Artistic Vibe Today

From galleries and artist-run spaces to design markets and exhibitions in palazzi, Rome’s art scene is alive and evolving. The city has become a meeting point for tradition and innovation:

  • Artist studios flourish in Pigneto and Testaccio.

  • Contemporary design meets classic craft in places like Atelier Monti or Fondazione Volume!

  • Art fairs and biennials now attract global curators and collectors, cementing Rome as a modern art capital once again.


✨ Conclusion: A City Where Every Corner Is Art

Rome is more than a destination — it’s an immersive art experience. From ancient ruins to avant-garde street murals, sacred masterpieces to gritty graffiti, this city is a canvas of human expression through the centuries. Whether you're admiring the delicate brushstrokes of a Caravaggio or photographing a bold mural in the suburbs, you're part of a living tradition that has never stopped evolving.

Who is who in Street Art

 Art Is Trash vs El Pez vs Banksy: A Comparative Dive into the Worlds of Street Art Legends

Street art, once considered vandalism, is now celebrated as a powerful form of public expression. Among its most influential figures are Francisco de Pájaro aka Art Is Trash, the joyful Barcelona artist El Pez, and the globally renowned and mysterious Banksy. While all three artists operate within the street art genre, their styles, messages, techniques, and philosophies differ dramatically — reflecting the diversity and richness of urban creativity.

🎨 Art Is Trash: The Poet of Chaos and Garbage

Francisco de Pájaro, under the name Art is Trash (El Arte es Basura), transforms literal trash into powerful art. His works are raw, satirical, often grotesque, and deeply emotional. Instead of painting on clean walls, de Pájaro frequently uses discarded furniture, mattresses, cardboard, and everyday street debris to create his ephemeral installations. These artworks are usually created at night, without permission, and are gone by morning — either destroyed or swept away.

Key characteristics:

  • Medium: Trash, cardboard, found materials + acrylic paint

  • Style: Tragicomic, expressionistic, anarchic

  • Themes: Social critique, absurdity, poverty, political satire

  • Location focus: Barcelona streets, London, New York

  • Notable trait: His characters are expressive, often human-like monsters or crying figures, accompanied by provocative texts like “Art is Trash”


Art is Trash challenges the commodification of art. His installations are meant to decay, questioning permanence and the art market. He's the embodiment of anti-glamour urban art.


😄 El Pez: The Smiling Ambassador of Happiness

urban artist barcelona art is trash
Barcelona Urban Artist


Born in Barcelona, El Pez (which means "The Fish") brings a completely different energy to the streets. His work is joyful, colorful, and full of life. Known for his iconic smiling fish characters, El Pez uses his art to spread happiness and good vibes, coining his style as "Happy Style."

Key characteristics:

  • Medium: Spray paint, murals, legal walls, galleries

  • Style: Cartoonish, colorful, vibrant, graffiti-based

  • Themes: Positivity, joy, fantasy, peace

  • Location focus: Barcelona, Bogotá, Miami, Amsterdam

  • Notable trait: Always smiling characters, often fish-like or other surreal animals, surrounded by stars, bubbles, and messages of love

El Pez represents the more decorative and optimistic side of street art. His murals brighten up cities, and while his work is less politically aggressive, it has become iconic in the street art world for its recognizability and joyful aesthetic.


🕵️ Banksy: The Master of Political Street Satire

Banksy, possibly the most famous street artist globally, is known for his stenciled works that appear overnight in cities around the world. His anonymity and razor-sharp political commentary have turned him into a pop culture figure — as well as a symbol of resistance.

Key characteristics:

  • Medium: Spray paint + stencil, occasional installations (like Dismaland or shredded paintings)

  • Style: Monochrome stencils, minimalist and instantly recognizable

  • Themes: War, capitalism, surveillance, poverty, refugees, police brutality

  • Location focus: London, Bristol, Bethlehem, New York, Paris

  • Notable trait: Powerful, instantly viral images like the girl with the balloon, riot police with smiley faces, or rats with protest signs

Banksy’s work is clean and strategic, designed for impact. Unlike Art Is Trash’s chaotic installations or El Pez’s joyful murals, Banksy uses simplicity to deliver shocking or ironic messages.


🔍 Comparative Overview

FeatureArt Is TrashEl PezBanksy
Visual StyleRough, expressive, grotesqueColorful, cartoon-like, joyfulClean stencils, minimalistic
MaterialsTrash, cardboard, urban debrisSpray paint on walls or canvasSpray paint with stencils
Message FocusAnti-establishment, absurdismHappiness, fantasy, peacePolitical satire, social injustice
Famous WorksTrash figures in BarcelonaSmiling fish in El RavalGirl with Balloon, Dismaland
Art LifeEphemeral and spontaneousDecorative and commercial-friendlyOften viral, commercially subversive

🌍 Street Art from Three Angles: Trash, Joy, and Protest

Together, these three artists form a powerful triangle in contemporary street art:

  • Art Is Trash brings ephemeral rebellion, turning garbage into raw, temporary art that critiques consumerism and society.

  • El Pez delivers joyful consistency, offering viewers a bright break from urban grayness through fantasy and color.

  • Banksy provides global shockwaves, using visual minimalism and viral impact to criticize political systems and inequality.

8/01/2025

20 Artists You Should Know

 

🎨 Street Art in Barcelona

Barcelona is undeniably one of Spain’s top cities to explore street art. Beyond the iconic architecture of Gaudí or the classic brushstrokes of Miró, the city pulses with contemporary creativity—especially when it comes to its vibrant urban art scene. Walk down almost any alley, and you'll be greeted with a burst of color, personality, and raw talent.

art is trash street art barcelona

As part of the My Barcelona series with travel platform Ebookers, we’ve taken a deep dive into this ever-changing outdoor gallery. Every visit to Barcelona reveals something new, as its streets become canvases for both local legends and international visitors.

Street art in Barcelona isn’t just paint on walls—it’s a culture, a legacy, a statement. With its unique mix of sanctioned murals and guerrilla graffiti, the city celebrates both its artistic roots and its edgier subcultures. Below is our curated list of 20 standout artists—each contributing their own unique brushstroke to Barcelona’s visual identity.


🎏 1. Pez Instagram

Famous for his cheerful fish characters, Pez is a global ambassador of good vibes. Though he splits his time between Barcelona and Colombia, his work is synonymous with Barcelona’s street scene. His signature smiley fish appear not just in Spain but in cities worldwide.


🎨 2. Aryz

A muralist of monumental scale, Aryz paints towering characters with a dreamlike aesthetic. Born in Barcelona and known worldwide, he’s created iconic works from Bristol to Brooklyn—purely for the joy of painting.


🔺 3. Kenor

Beginning in the 1980s painting trains, Kenor’s style has evolved into bold, geometric compositions. Influenced by electronic music (notably Autechre), his vibrant murals feel like visual soundtracks.


🌀 4. Sixe Parades (aka Sixeart)

With roots in 90s graffiti, Sixe blends Catalan and Peruvian influences into abstract, colorful murals. In 2008, he earned international acclaim by painting the façade of London’s Tate Modern.


🍭 5. Konair

Known for his popsicle-tag character, Konair’s playful street art pops up everywhere, especially in the Gothic Quarter. His iconic frozen treats are a sweet surprise across Barcelona's urban sprawl.


🍼 6. El Xupet Negre

Active since 1989, El Xupet Negre is instantly recognizable thanks to his black pacifier symbol and his core message: peace, love, and freedom. His tags appear across the city, echoing street art’s original rebel spirit.


🖌️ 7. Manu Twice

Manu Twice’s work blends fine art aesthetics with street scale. Painting since the 1990s, his murals—often centered around human figures—stand out for their elegance and emotion.


🗑️ 8. Francisco de Pájaro (Art Is Trash) Instagram

Turning garbage into gold, Francisco de Pájaro, aka Art is Trash, transforms discarded objects into ephemeral artworks. His impromptu installations critique society with a dose of humor and urgency.


✂️ 9. Btoy

Stencil artist Andrea Michaelsson, known as Btoy, creates richly detailed portraits using layered techniques. Influenced by figures like Malcolm X, her works often appear in the Gothic Quarter.


🖍️ 10. Zosen & Mina Hamada

This Argentinian-Japanese duo merges bright colors and abstract shapes into joyful, collective pieces. Based in Barcelona, their murals embody harmony and spontaneity.


📚 11. Aleix Gordo

Originally interested in comics, Gordo entered the street art scene after reaching out to graffiti artists. Now his work spans continents, but his creative heart still beats for Barcelona.


🧿 12. H101 (Hachecientouno)

Originally from Madrid, H101 channels mysticism and ancient culture into swirling, colorful forms. His work emits energy, drawing passersby into a spiritual visual experience.


🌀 13. Rombillos

Rombillos’s character El Rombo appears across Barcelona—via stickers, murals, and small interventions. A nod to playful street culture, his work encourages the viewer to pause and smile.


👧 14. Seclestyle

This self-taught Italian artist spreads positivity through delicate paste-ups featuring childlike characters. Her works are subtle and uplifting, often hidden in doorways or alleys around Gràcia.


🖋️ 15. Zems Oner

Tattoo artist and street muralist Ivan de Castres (aka Zems) fills Poblenou’s legal walls with fluid, interwoven graffiti compositions. His figures are dynamic, bold, and unmistakably his.


🖍️ 16. Mali Mowcka

Argentinian-born Mali creates expressive, feminine paste-ups in dreamlike abstract forms. Her work now adorns cities around the globe, but her home base is Barcelona.


🔲 17. SM172

A stencil artist with graffiti roots, SM172 draws inspiration from friends and personal connections. His works, often found in collaboration with others, are poetic and grounded in realism.


🧩 18. Bl2A

Specializing in found tiles and multi-layer stencils, Bl2A hides his miniature art around the city—inviting chance encounters and unexpected delight for observant pedestrians.


💚 19. Bronik

Influenced by Peruvian folklore, Bronik paints mystical women in rich, green hues. Her art—ranging from doorways to murals—feels both ancient and contemporary.


🧿 20. Sebastien Waknine

Waknine blends ancient motifs with modern realism. To him, ancient cultures were the original street artists, and his work pays tribute both on the gallery wall and the street.


✨ Discovering Barcelona’s Urban Soul

Barcelona’s street art is more than decoration—it's expression, rebellion, joy, and identity. Each of these 20 artists adds a unique voice to the city’s evolving dialogue. Whether you're wandering through Poblenou or getting lost in the Gothic Quarter, keep your eyes open. You never know which mural or character might be waiting around the next corner.

🖼️ And remember: the beauty of street art is that it’s always changing. What you see today might be gone tomorrow. That’s the magic of My Barcelona.