MooieMuur is a Dutch organization that focuses on creating street art in various cities in the country. The aim is to transform the boring grey walls on the street into colorful works of art that give the city an extra dimension. In this blog, we will take you to a few places in the Netherlands where MooieMuur has already left a work of art. We will show you how these works of art are not only a visual feast, but also contribute to a more pleasant living environment in the city.
MooieMuur has already been active in various places in Amsterdam. For example, in Museum Straat you can enjoy a work of art by Karski and Beyond. An absolute top place where works of the top in the street art scene are hanging. A beautiful museum. The setting alone is reason enough to visit.
A heartbreaking loss for the Netherlands and the journalistic world – Peter R. de Vries was shot dead in the streets of Amsterdam. To honour his legacy, the talented artist Karski painted his portrait as part of the Amsterdam heroes project. The portrait is a tribute to the courage and perseverance of the beloved journalist, who fought for justice and truth until the end of his life. Karski’s talent and passion are clearly visible in the portrait – a work of art that will undoubtedly be a lasting memory of the legendary Peter R de Vries.
As a true Amsterdammer or as an outsider, the Albert Cuypmarkt is a place you simply must see. And recently there has been a new eye-catcher that you cannot miss: the wall full of graffiti art by Tim Rodermans and Karski, better known as Roy Valk. The idea for this work of art only arose in 2021, when Tim and Roy spoke to the market traders about the wall on the corner of Albert Cuypstraat. The traders were immediately enthusiastic about the idea and Tim and Roy got to work with the permission of the property owner and support of the municipality of Amsterdam. The result is certainly impressive! A great addition to the already colorful and lively streets of Amsterdam.
During the Covid period, Karski and Tim Rodermans created an impressive mural on the corner of Weesperplein that touches us all. After a year of restrictions and social distancing, we long for contact and a hug. The painting expresses that feeling of longing for all of us, in a way that touches us deeply. When you walk through Amsterdam, you can't help but notice the artworks of Karski and other street artists. This beautiful piece on the corner of Weesperplein is just one example of the wonderful contributions these artists make to our city.
If you like discovering street art in special places, you should definitely visit Utrecht! There you can find the cool artworks of Karski/MooieMuur in various locations. For example, you can spend the night in a room painted by Karski in Cozy hotel. A beautiful wall decoration that many people would not expect to be made by graffiti artists.
But even if you go for a hamburger at Fat Phills, you can enjoy the hip hop graffiti that the same artist has made. And we can recommend that hamburger. They are really out of this world delicious!
Whether you are looking for cool hotel decoration or unique restaurant decoration, Karski has taken it all to a higher level in Utrecht!
Rotterdam is really a city full of street art. There are so many beautiful murals to be found and more are being added all the time. MooieMuur has created a number of beautiful works that you really have to see. For example, Karski painted a wall for PowWow - the graffiti festival. This is always a great addition to the city.
But perhaps the most special is Karski's own wall on the Kruiskade, which is rented out for graffiti advertising. It has become a real eye-catcher in the streetscape of the city. Alternately, advertising murals are painted here and murals that are themed around the neighborhood in which the wall is located.
And that's not all, because there is even a mural that was specially made for a film: White Berry. If you are a fan of graffiti and street art, Rotterdam is definitely a city you should visit.
When you walk around The Hague, you will see beautiful murals by street artist Karski in many places.
This urban artist has left his mark on the city with his striking works for non-profit organizations such as Youth Impact and NOC – NSF. He has also immortalized the Olympic heroes on the Johan Cruyff court.
But his talent is not limited to larger projects. He has also created murals for various neighborhoods in collaboration with housing corporation Staedion.
From the Peace mural at Omniversum to paintings for local residents, Karski shows that there is a thriving street art scene in The Hague.
When you think of Leiden, you might think of the famous canals, beautiful architecture and the historic university. But did you know that Leiden is also known for its rich history of graffiti and street art?
Leiden was one of the first cities where graffiti and street art appeared in the Netherlands. In the 1980s, the first graffiti film from New York was shown. This was the start of a new subculture in the Netherlands and the first graffiti writers started to create their artwork in Leiden. It did not take long before the first street art phenomena also appeared in Leiden.
The municipality of Leiden initially responded positively to this new art expression, because it was often placed on neglected and abandoned buildings. But in the 90s, regulations were introduced and many graffiti and street art artworks were removed. This was a heavy blow to the subculture of Graffiti and Street art. However, after twenty years it became clear that the policy was not entirely effective. This led to a changing attitude towards street art, not only in Leiden but throughout the Netherlands.
The current graffiti artists in Leiden work in a way that bears little resemblance to the art expression of the 80s. These craftsmen are very talented and use different techniques to create beautiful murals. Portraits, cityscapes, surreal images; the possibilities are endless. Most artists work on request, and create works that fit the character of the city and the wishes of the residents.
Leiden has some beautiful examples of street art that are definitely worth seeing. One of the most impressive works is a mural by Karski. You can find this in “De Hoven”. A great participation project with youth work SOL.
At the Betaplein near the Lammenschansweg you can find a beautiful work by Klaas Lageweg. Read more about these works in our portfolio.
Street Art has the power to breathe new life into the city. This has been proven by both academic research and the growing belief of municipalities all over the world. Embracing Street Art in the city gives the opportunity to honor the subculture, attract local artists, brighten up the city and involve the local community in this artistic process.
Graffiti and street art have a rich history in Leiden. From the first writers in the Netherlands to the current generation of talented craftsmen, this art form has a unique place in our city. Although street art fell into disrepute in the 90s and many artworks were removed, Leiden is slowly becoming a stage for this great art form again. There is still a lot of room for growth and development. Creating new space for street art, involving the public and supporting local artists are just a few ways in which we can work towards a future full of beautiful murals in Leiden.
Street art is a great addition to the streetscape. It adds color, atmosphere and liveliness to the cities. Thanks to MooieMuur we can enjoy beautiful murals in various places in the Netherlands. Not only a feast for the eyes, but also a contribution to a better and more vibrant living environment in the city.
So companies, schools, municipalities and CEOs who are still looking for ways to brighten up their city or neighborhood: consider MooieMuur and let your walls be transformed into colorful works of art. The Netherlands is a hotbed for street art artists and there is no shortage of murals and graffiti on the streets. From the colorful walls of Rotterdam and Amsterdam to the hidden gems of small towns, the Netherlands has it all.
Not only is it a great way to explore the city, but supporting local artists and their work makes it even more special. So put on your walking shoes and go find the beautiful street art the Netherlands has to offer.
If you’re inspired by this blog and want to learn more about murals, feel free to contact us today. We’d love to tell you how it all works and how we can help you.