11 Guerrilla Street Art Greats
I’m a guerrilla geographer and an urban explorer. When I travel, I always keep my eyes peeled for unusual and unexpected works of art — work that creatively subverts culture, rules, and politics and forces us to see “places” in a new way.
The work of guerrilla artists can be seen around the world. As I travel through cities, I have mixed feelings about the street art and graffiti I experience.
For me, the location, quality, and purpose of the work all have to come together beautifully if any collateral damage is to be “excused,” but I also accept and respect the truly subjective nature of guerrilla art: that it means different things to different people.
As a guerrilla geographer, I’m always on the look out for how artists use geography to make their point (if they have one).
Tagging is mostly a physical mapping out of presence and territory. It’s about occupying a space to turn it into a place that has meaning to the tagger. Anyone who has walked the streets of a city or ridden a train through one has enjoyed, endured, and perhaps even recognized these symbolic marks.
But more complex (and often more accepted) street artists will intentionally disrupt geographies to communicate directly with their “audience.”
Their message may be playful and amusing, beautiful and amazing, or — what interests me most — political and refractory. It’s in my nature to enjoy art that amplifies a point of view, allowing it to be “heard” above the din of a loud and busy city.
Here are 11 of my favorite (well-known) street artists at work around the world. In an effort to avoid ranking them like some kind of Olympic event, I’ve listed them alphabetically:
Banksy (UK)
Darius and Downey (USA)
Evoltaste (Germany)
Haas & Hahn (The Netherlands)
Invader (France)
JR (France)
Know Hope (Israel)
Mentalgassi Collective (Germany)
Ricky Lee Gordon (South Africa)
Roadsworth (Canada)
Slinkachu (UK)
Daniel Raven-Ellison is a National Geographic Emerging Explorer who advocates for “guerrilla geography”–geography that challenges us to see places, people, and the world in more meaningful and surprising ways. Follow his story on Twitter @DanRavenEllison.
> Related:
- I Heart My City: Daniel’s London
- Daniel’s Urban Earth film series
- Mission:Explore, a collaborative effort to spark children’s curiosity about the world
Related Topics
Go Further
Animals
- These 'trash fish' are among Earth's most primitive animalsThese 'trash fish' are among Earth's most primitive animals
- These photos are works of art—and the artists are bugsThese photos are works of art—and the artists are bugs
- The epic migration of a 6-foot long, 200-pound catfishThe epic migration of a 6-foot long, 200-pound catfish
- Frans de Waal, biologist who studied animal emotion, dies at 75Frans de Waal, biologist who studied animal emotion, dies at 75
Environment
- Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet? The answer isn't clear-cut.Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet? The answer isn't clear-cut.
- This year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning signThis year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning sign
- The U.S. just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long?The U.S. just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long?
- The most dangerous job? Inside the world of underwater weldersThe most dangerous job? Inside the world of underwater welders
- The harrowing flight that wild whooping cranes make to surviveThe harrowing flight that wild whooping cranes make to survive
History & Culture
- Meet the powerful yokai that inspired the demon king in ‘Demon Slayer’Meet the powerful yokai that inspired the demon king in ‘Demon Slayer’
- A surprising must-wear for European monarchs? Weasels.A surprising must-wear for European monarchs? Weasels.
- Meet the woman who made Polaroid into a cultural iconMeet the woman who made Polaroid into a cultural icon
- Inside the observatory that birthed modern astrophysicsInside the observatory that birthed modern astrophysics
Science
- LED light treatments for skin are trendy—but do they actually work?LED light treatments for skin are trendy—but do they actually work?
- NASA smashed an asteroid. The debris could hit Mars.NASA smashed an asteroid. The debris could hit Mars.
- Humans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying themHumans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying them
- Why engineers are concerned about aging infrastructureWhy engineers are concerned about aging infrastructure
Travel
- 2024 will be huge for astrotourism—here’s how to plan your trip2024 will be huge for astrotourism—here’s how to plan your trip
- Play and stay in the mountains of eastern Nevada
- Paid Content
Play and stay in the mountains of eastern Nevada - This couple quit the city to grow wasabi in Japan's mountainsThis couple quit the city to grow wasabi in Japan's mountains