Urban Art: Lisbon Graffiti and Murals

Lisbon, the sun-drenched capital of Portugal, is celebrated for its historic architecture, scenic vistas, and vibrant street art scene. Taking root in the mid-1970s and flourishing over the past several decades, Lisbon’s street art has transformed the city into a one-of-a-kind open-air gallery where bold murals and intricate stencil-work breathe life down narrow alleys and broad avenues. People visiting Lisbon are often captivated by the colorful interplay between the old and the new. Crumbling 18th-century walls are adorned with contemporary masterpieces that tell the stories of Portuguese culture, politics, and everyday life. The city’s open-mindedness toward artistic expression has helped to cultivate one of Europe’s most dynamic street art landscapes, drawing international artists and enthusiasts alike, coming together to enjoy a truly unique artistic experience.

What Is Urban Art?

Urban art, a term often used interchangeably with street art, refers to a broad category of visual art forms created and displayed in public spaces. Urban art doesn’t stay within the confines of museums. It includes graffiti, murals, stencils, installation art, and other creative interventions that interact with and play off of the urban environment. Unlike traditional graffiti, which many associate with vandalism, urban art is usually sanctioned, commissioned, and celebrated by city officials and local communities. There is a strong sense of pride in the creation of art that reflects the values and uniqueness of a neighborhood and the people who call it home. Urban artists often use their works to comment on social issues, share their personal narratives, and simply beautify neglected spaces. In cities like Lisbon, urban art blurs the lines between youthful rebellion and reverence for the local history and influence, merging creativity with community engagement.

History of Lisbon’s Street Art

Lisbon’s tradition of street art can be traced back to the aftermath of the 1974 Carnation Revolution, a peaceful uprising that overthrew Portugal’s authoritarian government. In the wake of their newfound freedom, artistic citizens turned to public walls to express their political sentiments, their hopes for their future and the future of their peers, and their frustrations. What began as political graffiti evolved over the decades into a sophisticated form of urban artistry, something that the people of Lisbon take great pride in.

By the early 2000s, Lisbon’s municipal government began to recognize the cultural value of street art. They launched initiatives, such as GAU (Galeria de Arte Urbana), to support and regulate public art projects, and today, Lisbon’s street art reflects a blend of cultural, historical, social, and aesthetic themes, attracting both emerging talents and world-renowned artists.

Notable Murals, Artists, and Neighborhoods

The district of Bairro Alto, known for its bohemian spirit, features colorful tags, custom-made stickers of all sizes, and artistic murals at almost every corner. Mouraria is one of Lisbon’s oldest neighborhoods, and it showcases massive works that are a marriage of traditional Portuguese culture with modern artistic techniques. The riverside area of Alcântara offers an eclectic mix of street art installations against the backdrop of repurposed industrial buildings. This section of the city is also home to the LX Factory complex. Opening in 2008, the LX Factory complex is a hub of art, design, gastronomy, and innovation frequented by locals and tourists who are interested in experiencing Lisbon’s contemporary arts scene. It’s an industrial complex that houses a wide variety of independent shops, art studios, galleries, coworking spaces, restaurants, bars, cafes, and event spaces. Pop-up events, concerts, and exhibitions can be found here throughout the year. And as you walk through the complex, you can’t help but notice the murals, graffiti, and sculptures that decorate the space. The works of art found in the LX Factory complex were created by both native Portuguese citizens and international artists, offering something for every creative soul to connect with.

Several artists have made indelible marks on Lisbon’s walls. Alexandre Farto, who creates street art under the pseudonym Vhils, is perhaps the most famous of these. He is a Lisbon native who is widely known for his groundbreaking sculpting technique, carving portraits into plaster and brick, a style that has earned him international acclaim. Focusing on large-scale portraits, some of which take up entire sides of buildings, Vhils etches away at existing urban structures, blends in different types of material, both industrial and natural, and uses corrosives, like acid and bleach, to create texture and contrast. While most street art adds to public spaces, Vhils actually chips away at the urban landscape to reveal art within.

Bordalo II, whose given name is Artur Bordalo, is another standout Lisbon artist, sculptor, and storyteller. He uses discarded trash and recycled materials to create unique 3D animal sculptures. Through his work, Bordalo addresses the contemporary issues of human consumption and its impact on animals, specifically endangered species, and environmental degradation. He has received international recognition for his exhibitions and installations, including works that have been featured in the LX Factory.

American street artist Shepard Fairey, who may be best known for his iconic “Hope” poster of former U.S. President Barack Obama, has also contributed to the street art scene of Lisbon. In 2017, Fairey created a mural entitled “Revolucao dos Cravos” (Carnation Revolution). The mural captures the spirit of the 1974 peaceful revolution that ended decades of dictatorship. Os Gemeos, a Brazilian artist who specializes in surreal, dreamlike murals that are heavily influenced by Brazilian culture, has also contributed to Lisbon’s rich mural collection, further cementing the city’s reputation as a mecca for street art.

Art Activities

• Make Your Mark
• Encouraging Teens in Their Creativity
• Explore the Street Art of Banksy
• Graffiti Name Art
• Washable Graffiti Activity
• Graffiti Art Activity for Kids
• Understanding and Making Murals
• Spray Paint Graffiti
• Street Art Facts for Kids
• Expressive Street Art in Lisbon
• Portugal Golden Visas
• Street Art City Walks: Lisbon
• Lisbon Street Art Guide: Best Neighborhoods and Artists
• A Street Art Stroll Through Lisbon
• Portuguese Citizenship by Descent
• A Guide to Lisbon Graffiti Art
• The LX Factory in Lisbon

This page was last updated by Marco Permunian