Murielle Street Art: Florentin's Definitive Graffiti Artist

With so many walls painted with graffiti around Tel Aviv, most residents are able to name a few artists like Wonky Monkey, Sened, and Know Hope, to name a few. There is one particular type of graffiti art which is defined by its originality, and the artist’s hope is to leave us with a meaningful message as we continue through our daily grind. We had a chat with Murielle Street Art, who creates one-of-a-kind graffiti around South Tel Aviv.
Where are you from, and how did you find yourself in Tel Aviv?

I was born in Montreal, Canada. I came to live in Tel Aviv from New York City. I thought Israel would be a destination for me when I’m a senior citizen, due to the fact that I come from a Zionist family. I had eczema my whole life, and there was a period when I lived in New York, and it got worse. My dermatologist suggested that I should go to the Dead Sea to cure my eczema. On my first day in Israel, I went straight to the Dead Sea and met the father of my two boys in the water, and the rest is history.

When and why did you decide to paint/graffiti/brighten our walls?

I didn’t go to art school; I didn’t think I would be an artist. Life just took me through a chain of events that lead me to this destination. My first inspiration started when I was living in a Kibutz next to Gaza. The Kibutz started building shelters as an extension to homes for our security. I found myself collecting and saving old wooden window frames that were discarded in construction dumpsters. I felt that it was a pity to discard quality which was replaced by cheap aluminum windows. Then I felt the need to recycle them. Simultaneously, I was thinking of an idea of how to expose my collection of vintage passionate photographs of dancers. So I put two and two together and came up with my first series on the streets, called ‘Dancing Towards The Stars.’
What message are you trying to portray in your work?

To hold on to quality. To hold on to life. To not become a robot just yet. To not be a sheep in a herd.
What are your favorite materials to use?

Discarded recycled materials, like internal electronic parts of TV sets or old devices or something that was used quite frequently and was easily replaced by more advanced, modernized materials. All in all, things that had a life before it got replaced by more advanced technology.

Has anyone ever objected to your art?

So far, so good!
What and where do you love the most about Tel Aviv?

I love the people and the neighborhood of Florentin. It feels like a little village; everybody knows everybody. There’s a lot of heart in Israel. I feel at home.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.