Homegrown Picks: 26 Works Of Delhi Street Art We Absolutely Love

There’s a giddy sense of slow-boiling empowerment in India, right now. Influences are running varied, criss-crossing with an ancient value system, possibilities seem endless, and no one is sure what the last chapter of this new narrative we’re forming might be. It’s in moments like these that great art is born. Last year, the inspiring St.Art Delhi project tapped into that potential and this November, they have every intention of kickstarting their Mumbai version of the makeover.

For a long time, art in India has been divided into the highbrow variety, niche and reserved for a particular class, or traditional/ rural artisans, existing on the other side of the spectrum. There’s been a need for links between the two and this urban art festival in the capital has truly brought quality to the masses—unbridled and unadulterated—by co-ordinating and commissioning a month of murals, installations and more as street art, literally giving the city a facelift. More often than not, this kind of street art reflects strong beliefs and serve as a reminder of happenings both in the popular culture of our times, as well as the socio-political happenings in our country, and it’s a great way to make people introspect too. That’s why we couldn’t be more thrilled that Street Art’s ‘vandalism’ tag is slowly being shed and people are beginning to realise just how powerful it can be. Moreover, artists here are quickly beginning to realise just how important it is for them to be prolific. Because street art is fleeting and has to be contextually relevant, getting out there and putting work up consistently is important for making a lasting impact.

We’ve been admiring St.Art India Foundation's work ever since the project was initiated and we couldn’t be more thrilled that they’re going to be sharing some of their pie with us. Mumbai’s already got plenty of great street art if you know where to look but if you take scrape the surface in Delhi right now, you’ll know just how much better it can really get. That’s why we decided to put together this collection of some of our favourite street art from around Delhi, and whet your appetite for what Mumbai might look like post November. Not all of it was born out of the St.Art Delhi initiative, but you’ll find they take up a sizeable portion of this list either way.

I. Artist, Daku, painted this bright, red LPG rocket at Malviya Nagar. Daku highlights a pervasive problem which burns a big hole in everyone’s pocket – rising LPG prices. 

II. A mural painted by artist Mattia Lulini in Khirki Village, Delhi.

III. Artist Harsh Raman, painted this piece titled 'Metamorphosis' in Shahpur Jat, Delhi.

IV. An unknown artist represents the plight of the Tibetans through this graffiti.

V. Street artist Harsh Raman painted this mural in Green Park, Delhi to commemorate Independence day in 2013.

VI. Artist Solo Cink M.O.B.A. painted this mural in Paharganj, Delhi.

VII. Spanish artist, Okuda, painted this explosion of geometric colour. Most of his work has an element of 'pop surrealism.'

VIII. Graffiti by Yantr representing the unity of common man or “aam aadmi” in their fight against corruption, specifically against the laundering of money (black money)

IX. German graffiti artist Loomit brought the Himalayas to Delhi in Khirki village. Sandwiched between crumbling homes, a lot of people come to pose in front of this wall. 

X. Anpu, a famous street artist painted ‘Brain Curry’ on a wall mural in Jorbagh, Delhi.

XI. We shudder every time we view this beautiful piece by Berlin-based artist, Alias. 

XII. Daku paints this mural in Connought Place, Delhi expressing his views on elections as well as encouraging people to go forth and vote. 

XIII. Anpu, a famous street artist painted ‘Brain Curry’ on a wall mural in Jorbagh, Delhi.

XIV. Again painted by Yantr, this piece of art is his comment on labour.

XV. This beautiful work is actually a collaboration between two St.Art Delhi artists, Andy Yeng & Tofu. 

XVI. An unknown artist painted this psychedelic mural.

XVII. This is India’s tallest wall mural on Delhi Police HQ by Anpu Varkey and German artist Hendrik ECB Beikirch. The mural, which is a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, was painted post a unique collaboration between Delhi Police and St.ART Delhi. 

XVIII. A mural running along the boundary of India's largest prison, Tihar Jail, Delhi.

IMAGE COURTESY: GRAFFITIININDIA.COM

XIX. Artist Yantr painted this truth on the side of a flyover. 

XX. Painted by Foe, whose work seems to be usually informed of socio-political happenings through which he provides context.

XXI. Known for being inspired by classic Bollywood imagery, Ranjit Dhaiya is already a borderling household name and his street art has already made its way to several nooks and crannies of Mumbai but we love this Delhi take as well.

XXII. Done by Yantr, this mural reads "Honey, please don't go to work".

XXIII. We couldn't figure out who was behind this, but we loved it all the same.

XXIV. Artist Slik stencilled this monochromatic Hitler mural in 2013.

XXV. German artist Bond creates this polychromatic piece on the collaborative exhibition space, Bakheda, in Delhi. 

XXVI. Painted by a street artist who goes under the moniker of Foe.