Envision a towering mural dominating the cityscape before you. This is Mother, a Brussels street art masterpiece. It covers 400 square meters of wall. The Mother Mural tells a silent story.
This artwork features three figures. There is a mother, her baby, and her daughter. The mural’s creator Sainer worked for ten days on this impressive piece. He used over 150 liters of paint to bring his vision to life.
Sainer is one half of the Polish artist duo Etam Cru. They are renowned for their large-scale murals. These murals combine realism and fantasy.
Look closely. You can see the mother and daughter wear crowns of leaves and flowers. Their faces remain shadowed adding an air of mystery. The mother gazes lovingly at her baby. The daughter stares directly at the viewer.
The non-profit organization “Une ville en couleur” or “A city in color” artistically directed this artwork. They aim to enrich Brussels with vibrant street art. The Mother Mural certainly achieves this goal.
Brussels boasts numerous murals and street art. This makes it an open-air art gallery. Art covers walls, facades, and shop fronts. You can find art on lamp posts and benches.
The city authorities recognize street art’s value. They capitalize on its popularity. Brussels has a street art route to rival the comic strip route. A budget of 100000 euros funded the project in 2016.
Street art beautifies grimy parts of Brussels. It establishes a reputation for creativity. Brussels street art reflects society. It can convey messages of hope.
The Mother Mural stands near the Gare du Nord train station. This location sees many undocumented migrants passing by daily. The young girl holds a piece of Rowen tree. It warns of impending danger.
My favorite Brussels street art is the impressive Mother by Polish artist Sainer. A 400m² mural with a mother and child that takes up the side of a building close to Gare du Nord. It seems a fitting sentiment given the flow of undocumented migrants who daily pass by here on their perilous journey.
While some street art has approval, graffiti remains illegal in Belgium. The police arrest street artists for vandalism. Brussels offers a free graffiti removal service. This contradicts the desire to be vibrant.
Even the EU institutions have joined in. They display street art with debatable slogans. The 12-meter-high Manneken Peace is on the tourist trail. It was made for the 30th anniversary of Belgian Hip Hop.
The Mother Mural is more than paint on a wall. It’s a reflection of life. It is about family. It is about hope. It is about the human condition. It transforms the urban landscape into a canvas of emotions. Take a moment to appreciate its beauty. Consider its message as you continue your tour through Brussels.