No trip to The Azores is complete without wandering around Ponta Delgada, the capital of the Azores archipelago of Portugal, to track down its fantastic array of street art. And we’re not just talking graffiti. Imagine graphic pavement designs, vivid street exhibitions, lively tiles, sarcastic stickers, imaginative sculpture and more.
While there, you’ll enjoy a vibrant culture, delicious food and creativity on every corner.
Let’s dive into street art: Azores.
Azores graffiti
I highly recommend reserving a day (or at least half a day) for walking around the city. You’ll spot hundreds of high-quality pieces of graffiti in a myriad of styles, addressing society, sealife, nature and more.
Azores mosaic pavement design
If you walk through pedestrianised areas, you’ll probably stumble across lots of gorgeous Portuguese pavements, known as ‘calçada portuguesa’ or simply ‘calçada’. This distinctive technique is usually made by arranging small, flat pieces of black and white limestone into images or repeated patterns.
Ponta Delgada marina art
Take a walk down to Ponta Delgada Marina, and you won’t be disappointed. Many sailors leave behind a piece of art representing their boat, journey and crew, with many artworks including:
– Names of family or crew members
– The year of the visit
– A drawing of the boat or its logo
– A list of places the boat has visited
– Their country’s name or a drawing of its flag
Street exhibitions around Ponta Delgada
Urban art and self-expression are alive and kicking throughout every inch of the Azores, with unique ideas expressed through tiles, paste-ups, photography and illustrations. Many artists accompany their exhibition pieces with explanations, artist bios and sometimes QR codes to explain more about their work.
Azores sculptures
Beautiful sculptures adorn every corner of the Azores, whether you’re near a town, city or lake. Some are designed using naturally-sourced materials (like carved tree stumps), while others have been constructed and brought to the area.
Azores tiles
You’ll find porcelain tiles around all of the Azores, not just the city. Large, brightly coloured plaques comprising a series of tiles announce towns, shops, biblical scenes and more.
Look carefully, and you’ll unearth some iconic cobalt blue and white designs. These were inspired by the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 CE) Chinese porcelain design and Dutch Delftware.
Street art Azores
In short, if you’re looking to immerse yourself in inspiration, the Azores is an exceptional place to start. Artwork comes in all shapes, sizes and media, while spanning an array of topics. So, pack your camera and your sketchbook, and prepare to feel inspired.
That’s all for now ✌️
Your paint-pal
Hi there; I’m Rebecca, a British artist and copywriter, and I’ll never be ‘ready enough’ to write a bio in the third person. I’ve been practising my crafts ever since the day I picked up my first pair of scissors in primary school and glued my fringe to a collage. Tasteful, eh?
When I’m neither painting nor writing, you’ll find me gardening, snowboarding, baking cinnamon buns or practising Muay Thai.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous piece of street art?
‘Balloon Girl’ by Banksy is the most famous piece of street art. This piece depicts a young girl reaching for a red heart-shaped balloon, which is being blown away by the wind. The series began appearing around London in 2002, but they have all been removed and since sold to private collections.
What is the largest street art in the world?
The Mural das Etnias also known as Todos Somos Um (We are all one), is 15 meters high by 170 meters long. It was created in 2016 by Eduardo Kobrain in Rio de Janeiro and required 1,800 litres of white paint, 700 litres of coloured paint and 3,000 spray cans.
Where is the birthplace of street art?
Many people believe street art began in the 80s in New York; however, Darryl McCray, also known as ‘Cornbread’ from Philadelphia, began tagging his name in 1965 and is generally thought to be the first modern graffiti artist.
