Ghent is a vibrant city with a rich history in art and graffiti. To celebrate the famous “Van Eyck” brothers the city invited several artists to leave their mark in the streets. Explore Ghent through street art with the free Street Art Cities app.
LessThe Belgian artist STROOK performed a diptych in the Braderijstraat, on the side wall of B&B Great Gent, as an ode to Van Eyck and the Mystic Lamb. At first sight his work shows us two figures that are depicted diagonally opposite each other. Actually it is one single person looking in the mirror, in confrontation with itself. FUN FACT: This work is made with recycled wood from different old buildings in Ghent like St Bavo's Cathedral
The Spanish artist Isaac Coral is known for his mini- statues inspired by the Ghent Altar panels of with the portrayals of Adam and Eve. For this occasion he created 20 miniature couples scattered throughout the city center along the street, high above a doorway, on the windowsill. Start your search around the 'Predikherenbridge' and locate 3.... TIP: follow the link and fidn out how the 3 look like;-)
Two opposing murals can be found at the back of the concerthall 'Handelsbeurs' by French duo Monkeybird Crew. You can best see them from the canal at the back, there's a pedestrian bridge. With this work you can see many instruments that were used during the period that Van Eyck painted (14th century). A prefect match for this location.
Across the iconic library you can find another Argentinian artist Pastel, who gave the rear façade of Kuiperskaai 14 a true transformation. His work "Pilgrims Pot" is largely inspired by the Ghent Altarpiece. We previously saw the flowers - roses, lilies and columbines - on the Mystic Lamb on Mary's crown. The flowerpot was decorated with the background of the panel with the pilgrims. TIP: rent a boat at Hostel Uppelink for the best view from the water
To see this one, you have to enter the little alley called 'Mageleinsteeg', there's an entrance in between the shops. You see of course Adam and Eve, characters that you can also see on the famous Altar Piece. How they relate to each other here, is up to you to figure out. TIP: As with many murals by Bosoletti, the work gets a new dimension if you take a picture and create a negative version.
Around the iconic Belfry of Ghent you can find a few other sculptures by Isaac Cordal. Don't get lost in the details of this fortified watchtower when you're looking for them. TIP: every sunday between 11:00 & 12:00 you can enjoy the typical carillon concerts during your search.
On the other side of the church you'll find a dreamy work by Argentinian artist Hyuro. She's known for her dreamlike, surrealistic compositions in which women often play the leading role. The soft colors in her work give her pictorial style an intimate and delicate atmosphere. Here she used her recognizable style for her interpretation of the Mystic Lamb on the facade of the antique shop Dino Antiques. TRIVIA: she used 3 people of the Ghent administration to create her concept on the spot.
In an empty niche in the Waaistraat, Ceepil paints his version of John the Baptist with a cherry picker. Then Paulien Verhaest finishes it off with plants that appear on the Ghent Altarpiece. Van Eyck painted an enormous number of plants that grow in the wild and that is enough inspiration for this young florist. The result is a beautiful contemporary performance by street artist Ceepil and florist Paulien.
The famous graffiti street sheds its skin almost every week, when arists create new work. Since 1995 is the "Werregarenstraat" a tolerance zone for graffiti. Even here you can find some Isaac Cordal sculptures hidden. TIP: Ghent has over 400 artworks scattered around the city, wit the free Street Art Cities app you can find 'em all.