Here stands a testament to Brussels’ vibrant street art scene. It’s the De Wand mural. Just a stone’s throw from the Atomium, De Wand station is a symbolic crossing. It bridges the suburbs and the city. Now, it’s adorned with a massive work of art. Thirty graffiti artists from Belgium and beyond created it.
This wasn’t some guerrilla art action. The Brussels Region commissioned this massive work. It was for the renovation of public spaces. Entitled “The Walk”, it has grown over the years. It became Europe’s biggest graffiti wall. It extends over 4,500 square meters.
The total cost of the De Wand mural project was 200,000 euros. Artists used no less than 6,000 spray paint cans during the process.
Brussels embraced street art. Countless Belgian and international artists have taken over Brussels. They decorated it with colourful graffiti artworks. Some creations are veritable murals. Artists exhibit these in galleries.
More than 30 years ago, Brussels launched a successful campaign. It aimed to remove the large billboards affixed to exterior building walls. These were a noxious source of visual pollution. Once removed, ugly dilapidated façades remained.
Working with the Belgian Comic Strip Centre, the city came up with an idea. They commissioned murals. Comic artist Frank Pé designed a mural. In 1991, a picture of his character Broussaille with his girlfriend Catherine was unveiled. It was at an intersection in the Saint-Jacques neighborhood downtown.
The combination of art and urban renewal was a big hit. Now, there are almost 70 murals. These murals grace the walls of the central city and Laeken. What began as the work of Brussels authors expanded. It included Belgian and foreign authors. The route celebrates Franco-Belgian comics widely.
The city is actively searching for new walls. The De Wand mural is marked on a Comic Book Route. The website has a map and a breakdown by themes and artists. Following the route discovers little-known areas. Many murals are in backstreets rather than major thoroughfares.
Werk aan de Muur offers a growing collection of works. Artists from all over Europe create them. All works are available in any format. They come in different high-quality materials. Werk aan de Muur is a platform for creatives. Anyone who photographs, paints, and illustrates can offer works. This results in an extensive collection of diverse works. There are minimalist nature photos to colorful pop-art collages. Each work includes more info from the maker. This personalizes your favorite artwork even more.