You see a lot of 3D street art -- literal street art, rendered on the street so it looks like chunks are taken out of the sidewalk, or angels and demons alike are climbing out of it. I'm a huge fan of such pieces, but they've done a turn or two around the internet already, so I wanted to focus on something else. Little did I know that I would find examples of street art so inspiring, so eloquent, and so meaningful that they would leave me momentarily speechless, and wishing with all my heart that I had even an ounce of artistic talent. They come from Street Art Utopia, and they are amazing. I've chosen a number of pictures that not only caught my fancy, but actually gave me chills as well. Believe me when I say that I really, really hope you enjoy them as well.
There's a whole series of pictures featuring figures like this one, birds trailing like wishes and past hurts and lost dreams. They're taking off like the woman in the picture is leaving all of her baggage behind, leaving her free and unencumbered -- but you have to wonder if she's not a little empty as well. After all, we all need our baggage, or at least a little of it. Your baggage, the things you've been through, make you who you are.
I've seen shadow-hands pictures like this in a variety of places. Seeing it panted on a wall, larger than life, is something else altogether. I once mimicked this idea when I was courting the Better Half, and sent my own version of this. It was not nearly so neat, and not nearly so beautiful, but I'm not bitter. Rather, knowing that these shadows are painted permanently somewhere in the world makes me feel reassured somehow. Because the people in this place will never really lack for love that looms larger than life.
I love this street art painting for a number of reasons. The colors contrasted with the bleak figure is just kind of magical, and something about the drawing style reminds me both of Tim Burton and of the animation in The Deathly Hallows, where we see the Tale of the Three Brothers. The fact that both the central figure and the city below him are trying to keep the rainbow rain away says quite a bit, don't you think?
This painting actually blows me away. It reminds me a lot of Peter Pan, as a matter of fact. Looking between the two for the first time, it took me a moment to understand it. I urge you to look at the full size version, so you can truly appreciate both the details and the meaning. I would love to see this in real life, and if anyone knows where it's at, please let me know! It's just such a beautiful idea, and so incredibly rendered.
Not all street art has to be painted, of course. I've always loved sculpture, and I especially admire it when it crops up where you don't expect it -- like the sidewalk. I might be entirely wrong in my interpretation, but the figures emerging from the stone seem to be carrying only what special belonging they can carry. A bag, a purse, a tire -- why a tire? Well, who knows. Art is always up to interpretation, and I've found myself wondering if the man with a tire is perhaps a man forced to leave his home, carrying only the tire to his first bike -- or perhaps it belongs to his son. What do you think? And if I'm completely wrong, I'd still like to know!
Maybe it's become a cliche idea, but to me this picture says that children are our future more than anything ever has. It's like modern industrial details mix with a utopia, but it's being steadily overtaken. I think that might be why the child looks so sad. The weight of the whole world rests on him, and it's just not going well at all. Kind of fitting, don't you think?
This is probably my very favorite piece of street art. It is so eloquent. I love the ballet anyway, and the silhouette of the dancing girl among the trees, with all those twilight colors, is absolutely stunning. Something about the combination of her with the boy on the swing is evocative of something simple, innocent, and inexpressibly beautiful. Again, I urge you to look at the full size version.
In fact, you should look at the full size version of all of these street art pieces. I'd love to know what you think, how they made you feel -- and again, if anyone knows where any of these originated, or who the authors are, please let me know! If you want to see any other stunning works of art, do visit Street Art Utopia -- and feel free to share the links to your favorites!
Top Photo Credit: Street Art Utopia