Friday, December 4, 2020

Some Big Impressive Murals


Last week, when I took my photo walk through Kilburn, I passed the Webheath estate, where there's always some interesting street art. In fact there are many new pieces since the last time I was there, all painted as part of the London Mural Festival.

Above, a huge four-story mural of a local resident named June Barber, by the artist Smug.


This one seems very London -- a stylish looking Twiggy-like woman in the rain. (That's how I interpret it, anyway.) It's titled "Maria in Kilburn" by ALO.


I didn't see a signature on this one, depicting two women in bathing suits, one whispering to the other. Other sites attribute it to artist Albert Clegg.


This one is by Spanish artist Nacho Welles, based on a photo of one of his friends.


And finally, this one by Andre Gola shows some poor guy who has lost his head while running down that ramp. (I think it's been around a while.)

This is the same estate where I shot the mural of the insects last summer. It's now covered up by a more abstract work that I didn't photograph; you can see the new one here.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's good to see you have lots of murals. I especially like the one by Nacho Welles.

Frances said...

The first pic looks so real. I can hardly believe it is a painting on a wall!! (I have to keep going back to it to check....looks a bit like a friend of mine actually)

Moving with Mitchell said...

These are wonderful. I wish we had art like that around town. So much talent!

Yorkshire Pudding said...

There are some very talented street artists. It's a crying shame that their life-enhancing work is frequently damaged by morons with spray cans leaving tags or other moronic daubings. I suspect that they are simply envious of the skills of real street artists or view them as part of "the establishment". Smug's giant portrait of June Barber is marvellous.

crafty cat corner said...

I am in awe of these artist's that make these large murals. How on earth can they know what they are doing when so close up to them. I love the lady in the first on.
Briony
x

e said...

I wonder how June Barber feels about her bigger than life portrait? All are impressive and interesting to see. How long has this festival been going on? I wish we had something like that here.

e said...

I just read her responses, she is quite the character, and I agree with her sentiments.

Ms. Moon said...

Wow! Pretty amazing!
Nacho's portrait of his friend and Ms. Barber's portrait are unbelievable. I also love the two women in bathing suits.
Very cool.

ellen abbott said...

fun stuff. it amazes me how those artists can render such huge portraits so realistically.

Anonymous said...

Wow! Those are really quite beautiful murals. I especially like the one by Welles.

Sharon said...

Those portraits are truly amazing. And, I like the abstract nature of the ladies in bathing suits. That's an impressive set of murals.

Debby said...

I love the murals. The man who has lost his head does not seem dismayed. The one that catches my eye is the elderly woman in glasses. So realistic that if you saw her walking in front of it, you would know that it is her!

The Bug said...

Wow - these are all amazing! I love all the different styles, but June might win.

Ellen D. said...

Thanks for sharing these, Steve! How nice for the people in those neighborhoods that they get to see such beauty each day!

Catalyst said...

These are great!

Margaret said...

Murals are so interesting and beautiful even the ugliest buildings. In spring of 2019 my older daughter and I visited Montreal and there were some gorgeous murals there.

Red said...

I really like the first mural as it shows a very confident character.

Alphie Soup said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Alphie Soup said...

There's something for everyone among your mural photos, whether it is be the colour, style or the artists own personal approach.
The head rolling down the ramp reminds me of a joke, most of which I've long forgotten; except the punchline which runs along the line of wishing he had quit while he was still a head. Works better when spoken rather than written....
Alphie

Linda Sue said...

Holy cow! The enormous portrait ! It would be great to watch those being painted or however it is that gets them up there. I do love the head rolling best, anything for a laugh.

37paddington said...

OMG that is some beautiful street art! I adore public art so thank you for sharing these pieces.

Sarah said...

These are great. I like the way that there seems to be interesting street art wherever you go in London. The old lady in the first one is especially impressive.

Sarah said...

June I should have said!

Janie Junebug said...

I love the murals.

Love,
Janie