Street Art Istanbul, an independent organisation at the heart of the city’s burgeoning new street art movement, shows us Istanbul’s best and brightest outdoor displays.
Istanbul’s street art scene is just like the rest of the city; dynamic, interchangeable and unpredictable. Street art culture came to life in Istanbul during the 1980’s with the emergence of hip hop and the b-boy movement. From humble beginnings, it has become a recognized art form.
There are now more than 30 local artists active in the city who have managed to transform its walls and corners. The local population not only accept the street art but even encourage and embrace it.
Istanbul hosts festivals throughout the year, including Muralist-anbul, which brings together emerging street artists from all corners of the globe. Recently, Pera Museum held the very first street art exhibition, Language of the Wall, which included artists such as c215, Gaia, Evol, Logan Hicks, Futura, JonOne and KR.
It is clear that Turkey’s cultural capital is fast becoming something of a Mecca for young Middle Eastern artists, as well as those from further a field. And it is not hard to see why.
