Ghent today is a graffiti-friendly city, with many works by artists such as Roa and Bué the Warrior. Want to see more graffiti hotspots? Why not discover a different side of Ghent with the ‘Sorry, not sorry’ street art plan of Ghent, a tour by bike or on foot of the city’s colourful graffiti.
The artistic value of graffiti and street art as an art form is increasingly being recognised.
Are you a street art fan? Be sure to take a look at the different guided tours on offer in Ghent that take you past dozens of graffiti works. The guides’ associations listed below offer a selection of street art tours.
The works below are just a sample from the large amount of street art in Ghent. Take a walk round and discover the city's colourful street art.
Graffiti Street, colourful, ever-changing alley
The car-free Werregarenstraatje in the centre of Ghent is a graffiti tolerance zone. Officially it is not permitted to do pieces and tags here, but the authorities turn a blind eye. The tolerance zone emerged during the Ghent Festivities in 1995 as a graffiti project with a limited number of works on the walls. Werregarenstraatje quickly earned the nickname "graffiti street”.
Nowadays, the street is a cacophony of colours. Werregarenstraatje is a public canvas for young street artists. Here, street artists create striking spray-can art to their heart’s content. This means that Graffiti Street in Ghent never looks the same from one week to the next. Do you like to explore off the beaten track? This alleyway is worth a detour during your weekend getaway. An alley full of colourful Instagram shots.
Wall of the Museum Dr. Guislain
A typical colorfull wall by CAZN, with references to classical art (one of his favourite themes).The wall refers to the catholic house over there that helps poor and homeless people.
This is the first wall you'll see from the big graffiti jam project along the tram tracks. This cannot be reached on foot. Take tram 1 from the historic centre to Museum dr. Guislain and you will see the mural opposite the tram stop. By the way, did you know that all public transport is free with the CityCard Gent?
Mural Joachim, street art along the water
Joachim (full name Joachim Lambrechts) is a very promising street artist from Lier. He has built up a strong reputation in the international street art scene, with murals and exhibitions in countless cities, and a permanent gallery in London. With his outspoken, joyful graffiti pop art style, it is impossible not to notice Joachim within the street art scene.
Joachim created a work on the rear side of the Arteveldehogeschool in the Jongenstragel, the footpath and bike path along the Nederschelde, close to Sint-Annaplein. Believe it or not, but actually there are 2 art works here. You cannot miss the love spreading mural by Joachim. But the little holes in the wall are also an art work, by the artist Michel François. With these holes he makes you think about borders, walls and the limits they create. Doesn't matter what you like most, just enjoy the view and the sweet walk at the waterside.By the way, Joachim first had another idea for this wall, but changed his mind last minute.
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Impressive street art from Super A.
Super A is the alter ego of the Dutch street artist Stefan Thielen. With his powerful and realistic murals of fantasy figures, he is definitely one of the leading figures of the Dutch street art scene. Most people know Super A for his images from birds. For Ghent he wanted to try something different, so horses it were. Take your time to have a good look at this one!
Grindbakken. An alternative exhibition space.
This is a graffiti tolerance zone, a place where street artists can express themselves. These gravel pits are in the “Oude Dokken”, an area of the city undergoing complete redevelopment. They were meant to be exposition spaces... It all turned out a bit different. The graffiti scene took it over and ever since it's one of the best places to spot nice pieces. Go for it.
Roa: rabbits and other animals
Ghent local Roa creates huge murals featuring (dead) animals, mainly in black and white. The animals are always found in the local area and are depicted in their purest form.
His paintings testify to a huge interest in anatomy and the animal kingdom. Always working on a very large scale, the murals leave a striking impression on the spectator. Roa’s works can be found on buildings in various cities across Europe, the US, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia. There are also a number of Roa's works in his home city.
The Ghent Altarpiece immortalized in graffiti. A masterpiece reinvented.
On the corner of the Predikherenlei and Van Stopenberghestraat, which used to be nothing out of the ordinary, is now certainly worth a look. After the cinematic release of "The Monuments Men", graffiti artist Bart Smeets created a 100m² mural here.
Film producer 20th Century Fox looked for a unique manner to put ‘The Monuments Men’ into spotlight, and the City of Ghent was open to having a piece of work that is a constant promotion for The Mystic Lamb (Ghent Altarpiece), which played a prominent role in the film. Watch the step-by-step creation of the artwork here!
De Maagd. Fresco by Borremans.
Michaël Borremans (1963, Geraardsbergen) is a famous Belgian artist. He trained as a photographer before later applying himself to drawing and painting.
He donated his fresco, “De Maagd” (The Virgin), to the city. It portrays a black-haired girl against a dark background. Except for a white collar, the girl is dressed entirely in black. Two crystal-clear rays of light emanate from her eyes. You can find the painting on the bell cage above the door of the lift. The artist’s signature at the back of the work, in the bell cage.
Did you know that you can still marvel at his work in a number of places in the city? In front of the De Krook building is his “De Passanten”: a 3m-tall statue with four figures who rest their heads against each other. They symbolise the marriage of knowledge and culture that people experience in De Krook.
Pedestrian tunnel in the Old Fish Market by Steve Locatelli
The Visit Gent inquiry desk can also be reached through the Appelbrugparkje, along the jetty of the Old Fish Market, passing first through the subway where artist Steve Locatelli created his project. He was inspired by the Werregarenstraatje, the Graffiti street, and the Old Fish Market of the olden days, of long ago.
Steve Locatelli was born in Brussels, where he began painting graffiti in the metro. He is known for his bright colours and frequent depiction of skulls.
Bué the Warrior in Baudelopark
Ghent local Bué grew up in a family of cartoonists. He was only 17 when he met 2 street artists on the bus. They handed him his very first 2 spray cans and he hasn’t stopped spraying ever since!
With his artwork, Bué tries to put a smile on people’s faces and give them a heart-warming feeling. He uses bright colours and happy shapes so his paintings don’t look too serious. He created his own visual language and brings colour and positive energy to a street context.
Bué makes murals across the whole world, often together with local graffiti artists. Besides this, he designs clothing, and for children he makes soft toys and other toys, as well as a special kids' clothing line. You can find a lot of Bué's works in Ghent. Look at the Sorry Not Sorry Map and discover them all.