In 2008, Liverpool was named European Capital of Culture, and you only need to walk around the streets of the city to start to understand why. Aside from the world-famous heritage in music and film, Liverpool is brimming with incredible street art, and it would be easy to spend days trying to see it all. Here’s our whistle-stop tour of Liverpudlian murals.
In 2018, the World Museum opened a very special exhibit – a small collection of soldiers from the world-famous Chinese Terracotta Army. In order to promote this, a street artist produced a mural on the ground just outside the museum – a 3D optical illusion of the soldiers themselves. This mural can be found at Liverpool ONE, just next to the docks.
The famous Baltic Market is home to many of the city’s best murals, and of particular note is a spectacular depiction of the late Professor Stephen Hawking, by French graffiti artist Akse. It is one of several pieces by him in the area, and utilises a beautiful, motivational quote by Hawking, which is guaranteed to put a spring in your step. This mural is on Parliament Street, 15 minutes on foot from Central Station.
The Nomad Clan are an all-female graffiti collective based in Manchester. Known for their vibrant pieces with powerful messages, they graced the Tempest Building with some of their work – a piece depicting the struggle of starting a new business in the city. The Tempest Building is on Tithebarn Street, 10 minutes from Central Station.
As you might expect, there are numerous pieces of art around the city dedicated to the Beatles, but perhaps the most interesting is a mural by English artist Dave Bonzai during the 2018 Contrast Mural Festival. Taking the title of one of their songs, he applied his own unique, striking style to it. This one is in the Baltic Market area, on Greenland Street, 20 minutes from the centre.
Probably the most famous piece of graffiti in the city, For All the Liver Birds has graced the Instagram account of many visitors to Liverpool. Painted by local hero Paul Curtis in 2017, both it and he have since become famous, and it’s easy to see why. The wings can be found on Jamaica Street, 15 minutes walk from the centre. Just follow the tourists.
This may well be Liverpool’s least-known treasure. Tucked away on an industrial street, it features work by several different artists, including Irish dot worker Finbar McHugh. A result of the Contrast Mural Festival, it’s a real treat for the eyes and testament to the artistic legacy of the city. The wall is found on Bayhorse Lane, just 5 minutes from Central Station on foot.