Street art began to take root in Philadelphia during the 1960s, propelled by early pioneers like Cornbread and Cool Earl. Initially dismissed and considered vandalism, this form of expression often appears on trains, buildings, and public spaces—created without permission and easily erased. Despite its fleeting nature, street art has captured the imagination of creatives worldwide. Its core purpose is to make thought-provoking imagery accessible to all, often carrying powerful social or political messages. Today, certain works have attained critical acclaim and market value in the millions. Here are ten of the most iconic examples across the globe:
1. Banksy – Girl with Balloon
Created in London in 2002, this minimalist image of a child releasing a heart-shaped balloon has become synonymous with hope and resilience. Banksy, a mysterious British figure known for sharp commentary and pre-cut stencil techniques, added the phrase “There is always hope” beside the image. The piece gained even more fame when a print version shredded itself during a live auction in 2018—one of the most dramatic moments in modern art history.
2. Keith Haring – We the Youth
American artist Keith Haring was known for bold, vibrant figures and a distinct cartoonish style. In 1987, he collaborated with local high school students to paint a mural in Philadelphia titled We the Youth. Located in a low-income neighborhood, the piece symbolizes unity and empowerment. Haring used his art to address pressing issues such as addiction, disease, and social inequality until his passing in 1990.
3. Combo – Coexist
Combo, born to a Christian father and Muslim mother, uses his mixed heritage as artistic fuel. In 2015, he unveiled Coexist on a Jerusalem wall, incorporating Islamic, Jewish, and Christian symbols. Inspired by a design from Piotr Mlodozeniec, Combo’s version calls for spiritual harmony and mutual respect. Despite suffering physical assaults for his provocative murals, he continues to post messages of peace and solidarity throughout Paris.
4. Shepard Fairey (Obey) – Marianne
Known for his "Obey Giant" campaign and the Obama "Hope" poster, Shepard Fairey uses propaganda-style visuals to stir public thought. After the 2015 Paris attacks, he painted Marianne—a symbol of the French Republic—on a wall in Paris's 13th district. Rendered in national hues, the piece champions liberty and civil resistance, aligned with his slogan “Deeds over dialogue.”
5. D*Face – Love Won’t Tear Us Apart
British artist Dean Stockton, who works under the alias D*Face, often explores themes of romance and decay. In 2017, he created a large-scale mural in Paris depicting a couple in a stylized embrace. The skeletal face of the male figure serves as a metaphor for past relationships that linger in memory. His pop-inflected style draws on comic book influences and urban motifs.
6. Bradley Theodore – Karl & Anna
Caribbean-born artist Bradley Theodore paints cultural icons as vibrant skeletal figures. His 2017 New York mural features fashion legends Karl Lagerfeld and Anna Wintour facing each other, rendered in neon hues and skull-like forms. The piece is both a celebration and critique of the fashion industry's lasting impact and visual branding.
7. Banksy – Flower Thrower
Painted in 2003 on a wall in Bethlehem, The Flower Thrower shows a protestor hurling a bouquet instead of a weapon. The faceless figure embodies resistance through peaceful gestures. Like many of Banksy’s pieces, this work blends irony and compassion, offering a sharp rebuke of conflict and violence.
8. Pichi & Avo – NorthWest Walls Installation
This Spanish duo fuses classical imagery with contemporary graffiti. Their breakthrough project came at Belgium’s NorthWest Walls Festival in 2014, where they decorated a tower of containers with Hellenistic sculptures overlapped by bold spray-painted designs. Their juxtaposition of ancient myth and modern technique is both grand and unconventional.
9. Eduardo Kobra – Etnias
Brazilian muralist Eduardo Kobra is celebrated for his kaleidoscopic portraits on a monumental scale. His 2016 piece Etnias, created for the Rio Olympics, stretches across 3,000 square meters. Depicting five faces from different continents, the work echoes the Olympic rings and promotes global unity. It took 40 days and thousands of materials to complete.
10. Bambi – Don’t Shoot
An anonymous female artist often likened to Banksy, Bambi uses her platform to address issues such as police brutality and media hypocrisy. Her 2014 London mural Don’t Shoot features five boys in Nike shirts with raised arms, standing over skulls rather than balloons. The text “Don’t Do It”—a twist on Nike’s famous slogan—challenges consumer culture and systemic violence.
Explore More Urban Masterpieces
From Bogotá to Berlin, the world’s walls have become open-air galleries for a new generation of creators. Where will your street art journey take you next?
