New York is globally famous as one of the richest street art hubs. Yet, street art in Brooklyn is a distinct universe of creativity and self-expression, which stands apart from all the artistic wonders of NYC. The street art movement has developed at its own pace here since the 1970s, giving every resident and visitor a unique glimpse at this creative subculture. Here is a tourist guide to Brooklyn’s street art locations you surely don’t want to miss.
Street art in Brooklyn: must-see murals
Brooklyn has many impressive, iconic murals that every street art appreciator must visit. The first highlight coming to one’s mind is the Coney Art Walls located in Coney Island. In fact, it’s not a standalone mural but rather an outdoor museum operating under the careful curatorship of Joseph J. Sitt and Jeffrey Deitch. Here, you will find 68 walls painted in varying street art traditions from 2015 to 2018, and the work keeps going.
Another interesting location is Water Street’s part stretching to the Manhattan Bridge archway. This place is called the DUMBO Walls, and its main twist is the rotation of street art murals and installations. Interestingly, though the acronym is often associated with the well-known fictional elephant, in fact, it only stands for the location’s specifics – Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass.
Brooklyn is also famous for the Greenpoint industrial area’s street art, which is scattered along Franklin Street and nearby areas. Home to a local Polish-American community, Greenpoint bears a unique hipster vibe with its revitalized East River waterfront, large-scale murals, and cozy street eateries.
Red Hook is a highlight you’re sure to love when walking the streets of Brooklyn in search of well-known murals. Though there are several iconic street art pieces in this area, including works by the Greeting Tour collective, the largest-scale one is the artwork by Joel Bergner. It is 2,500 square feet in size, located at the New York City Housing Authority’s Red Hook Houses West. It’s really huge and overwhelming as it can be, so it always produces a monumental effect on the viewers.
Visiting Brooklyn? Don’t forget about Brunswick
Brunswick is also a pearl of street art in Brooklyn, featuring many well-known murals and stencil artworks. It’s the place of The Brunswick Collective’s activities – a street art community founded by Joe Ficalora. Brunswick is a great location for exploring new street art trends and admiring the work of emerging and well-established artists.