Street Art in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is wereldberoemd om de werken van Vermeer, Rembrandt, Van Gogh en andere Hollandse meesters uit de 17e eeuw. Veel toeristen komen dan ook op deze namen af en bezoeken de beroemde musea in Amsterdam om de doeken van deze grootmeesters te kunnen aanschouwen. Amsterdam kent echter ook een grote alternatieve kunst scene. Hedendaagse creatievelingen laten hun sporen na op muren, gebouwen, tunnels en stedelijke voorzieningen. Street art is overal in Amsterdam.

By leaving their tag in the city, street artists can maintain their sense of anonymity while expressing their creative visions and messages of resistance, protest and hope. Along the way, they develop into distinctive artists who make a name for themselves in the mainstream art scene while remaining inextricably linked to the more underground street art scene.

A city that values ​​tolerance and personal expression, there is an eclectic range of provocative, socially conscious street art. From giant murals like the one of Anne Frank on the NDSM wharf to quirky sculptures like “The Blue Violin Player” in the Jordaan, and colorful mosaics of alien creatures by French street artist “Invader” in numerous neighborhoods.

Street art Amsterdam MooieMuur

Some people think that The Blue Violin Player was made in the Jordaan by a local doctor. But no one really knows. Sometimes the statue is also called "Man tries to catch tram 10" or "Man with violin case". The statue mysteriously appeared in the Tweede Marnixplantsoen in 1982.

HERE TODAY, GONE TOMORROW

Street art is by nature ephemeral and vulnerable to vandalism, corporate greed and neighbourhood gentrification. Victims in the former headquarters of street art in the historic centre of Amsterdam include the flamboyant paving stones and graffiti art of the Wijdesteeg and the beautiful ‘snake house’ of the Spuistraat. Once a haven for squatters, the latter has been reincarnated as expensive apartment buildings above chic boutiques. Spared is the bold, blue Vrankrijk, now a legalised squat and centre for political activism, vegan meals and punk concerts.

A CHANGING SCENE

While the Dutch capital may no longer be an open-air canvas for graffiti artists, the city is graced by small and large artistic surprises from local and international artists who have left their mark on the city. As street art has shed its reputation as nothing more than vandalism and gained status in the art world, local organizations have commissioned large works from both individual artists and collectives.

Street art NDSM Amsterdam MooieMuur

Street art at the NDSM includes an ever-changing array of works in an eclectic range of artistic styles. The NDSM site has become an icon in the field of Dutch street art. With the public legal graffiti tolerance zone, there is something new to see every day. The containers with works by famous Dutch and foreign artists show a changing exhibition of high-level street art.

NDSM Memorial Treze with Malakai

Graffiti artist Karski at the NDSM

Karski also has several works on the NDSM that can be viewed permanently. Including a tribute to deceased graffiti artist Treze. A good friend of Karski. Together with Beyond and Malakai they made this fantastic graffiti portrait of Treze.

NDSM Amsterdam Museum STRAAT wiht Tim Rodermans

Together with Tim Rodermans, Karski painted this portrait. Tim's daughter can be seen in this mural. A colorful portrait that was painted in early 2021. It can be seen next to the Museum Street on the NDSM site.

STREET ART MUSEUM AMSTERDAM (SAMA)

Graffiti muurschildering Amsterdam MooieMuur

Graffiti muurschildering Amsterdam

Colombian street artist Bastardilla uses a multi-story chimney to symbolize cultural barriers in the diverse Nieuw-West. As a Muslim woman peers through, she can connect with those on the other side.

Melkmeisje graffiti muurschildering Adam MooieMur

Graffiti muurschildering Adam1 MooieMuur

MUSEUM STREET NDSM SHIPYARD

STRAAT is a museum for graffiti and street art, located in the Lasloods on the NDSM-werf.

In the STRAAT museum you can see the work of graffiti artists from all over the world, who push the boundaries from Amsterdam to New York, from São Paulo to Tokyo. Under one roof you will find a collection of styles, forms, techniques and stories of the largest art movement of our time. The collection consists of works as large as buildings, in the even larger Lasloods on the NDSM-werf, which is itself a national monument.

Anne Frank NDSM MooieMuur

A gigantic mural of Anne Frank by Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra marks the site of the Amsterdam Street Museum on the NDSM wharf.

At the end of 2020, the largest Street Museum in the world finally opened after long preparations. Unfortunately, not many people have been able to enjoy the museum due to all the applicable corona rules. We are one of the lucky ones who have been able to visit the museum a few times and it is an absolute gem. Impressive space with works that are just as impressive as the space.

An absolute must see for people who love street art, but certainly also for people who have nothing to do with street art, but are up for an original outing. The museum will certainly surprise you.

Karski and Beyond are also represented in this museum with 2 works that will be displayed alternately. You can admire these in miniature in our portfolio.

An absolute must see for people who love street art, but certainly also for people who have nothing to do with street art, but are up for an original outing. The museum will certainly surprise you.

NDSM Amsterdam Street Art Karski

NDSM Wharf's street art scene is constantly evolving

HOW DO YOU FIND ALL THAT STREET ART IN AMSTERDAM?

Scattered throughout the city, Amsterdam street art can be hard to find if you don’t know where to look. Thanks to an interactive map from defshop, 24 artworks in the historic Canal Belt, Jordaan, Oost, and Amsterdam-Noord can be easily found on a free, self-guided walking or bike tour. Download the interactive map and open it on your smartphone to navigate to specific paintings and sculptures. Map icons are color-coded by location; click on each work to learn the backstory about the artist and the neighborhood where each work is located, as well as information on how to get there by public transportation.

THE FUTURE OF STREET ART IN AMSTERDAM

Whether you book a guided tour or walk around on your own, your experience will likely be surprising: As in cities around the world, what was once considered guerrilla art is now a legitimate genre. As the controversial graffiti tagging that began in New York City in the rebellious 1960s has evolved, artists who used to vandalize public spaces are now being paid for work that engages, entertains, and provokes. Rather than criminalizing and erasing their artistic statements, organizations and municipalities are working with street artists to make their work accessible to everyone, in nontraditional locations that have little resemblance to museums.

While street art has always sought to bring about change, it is inherently subject to change itself. Even as it has evolved, it remains an art form with an elusive time frame, subject to the whims and desires of politicians, developers, and municipalities. This is also why street art is attractive, exciting, and provides a space for truly creative people for whom the beaten track still doesn’t appeal.