Street Art à Liège : centre historique and Outremeuse

Fracturing the monotony of concrete façades, this creation floods this austere and imposing building with colour. The use of bright colours and geometric shapes is commonplace in the work of Okuda san Miguel and could even be said to be one if its characteristics. The tips pointing to the sky bring to mind crystals, hence the title of the work. Although they are in the centre of the façade, they do not simply reproduce a symmetrical effect. Far from being unique, this is a recurring theme in the work of Okuda San Miguel, whose creations can be seen on several continents and sometimes take the shape of sculptures.

From a distance, they could be mistaken for tiny birds and yet, by looking closer, it is possible to perceive a series of small monsters who, instead of terrorising us, make us smile. Using walls and windows, the Hell’O Monsters collective created this multitude of little beings, which are nonetheless connected by the same colour range and graphic style. This effect, using different flat tints, can also be found in other creations, such as the one made in Charleroi between the streets Rue du Biez-Moulin and Rue de Marchienne. Another noteworthy element is the collective’s taste for depiction of birds’ heads, which are not dissimilar to the figures with birds’ heads depicted by Jérôme Bosch in several of his paintings.

In the domain of street art, a jam means a legal event that brings together several graffiti artists. It was during a jam, bringing together 22 graffiti artists mainly from the Liège province, that the metal panels of this sports hall were painted. In addition to the different techniques used, several references, such as the extra-terrestrials taken from the Simpsons universe or the knight in armour drawn by J-Boy, are clear. On the contrary, the meaning of the expression Sept un fait (a play on words for the French for ‘it’s a fact’), which can be seen at several points, remains mysterious for the uninitiated.

Iota’s creation, is mysterious and intriguing, almost twilight-like with its different shades of blue. An impression that is further enhanced by the undulation of the cladding. A few touches of white punctuate the fresco, creating the appearance of sparkling crystals. Behind stands an enigmatic, almost ghostly figure. Far from being threatening, he looks serene, deep in thought. In his creations, Iota manages to combine a realistic, almost photographic drawing with diffuse colours that blur the reading of his work, giving the whole a unique, poetic aesthetic. Much more than a simple creation, it is a world of dreams, conducive to daydreaming, that Iota reveals to us through her art. 

With its crude and colourful geometric shapes, this wall painting takes us back to the world of childhood. Appropriately, the painting is adjacent to the playground of the psychotherapeutic day centre for children called La Manivelle. In fact, the artist worked with the children at this institution to carry out part of the composition situated under the covered play area. Unfortunately, it is difficult to see this part from the street. This mix of colours and volumes (spheres, cubes, etc.) can be found in several compositions by 2SHY.

This wall painting is more than a simple homage to Hubert Grooteclaes: it is a veritable immersion in his work. While, at first glance, the composition stands out thanks to the very bright red and its various portraits, aficionados of the photographer from Liège will notice allusions to his talent for portraits and his graphical research based around the colour red. Among the four portraits depicted, the one of Léo Ferré, with whom Grooteclaes was a close friend, and Miles Davis, an internationally renowned jazzman, are the most well-known. The two other portraits depict Brother Alfred, a popular figure of Liège, and Nicolas Donato.

This double creation, made by two graffiti artists, pays homage to two major figures of the 20th century who fought against racial segregation in their countries. The Reverend Martin Luther King is still the emblematic figure of the struggle for civil rights fought by Afro-Americans in the USA. He was assassinated in 1968 in Memphis. Nelson Mandela, after spending more than 25 years in prison during his fight against the segregationist system, was freed on the fall of Apartheid and became the first black president of South Africa in 1994. He passed away in 2013. Ecto and Nova Dead took advantage of the walls of this transformer station to once again bestow an artistic quality upon it, after the previous creations had been defaced. Ecto carried out the portrait of Martin Luther King and Nova Dead is responsible for the portrait of Mandela, which is a magnificent composition that plays on different shades of yellow and brown.

Already in 2017 as part of the exhibition Révolution bande dessinée (comic revolution), this blind wall was covered by a vast painting that paid tribute to the illustrator Bilal. In 2020, it was replaced by the current illustration for the Warhol exhibition, organised at the La Boverie museum. On an ideally situated gable end, the two partners in crime from the Spray Can Arts collective reproduced a photograph depicting the famous artist, holding a no less famous tin of Campbell’s soup in his hand. For these four portraits, they used bright colours that bring to mind Warhol’s screen-printed portraits, such as those of actress Marilyn Monroe or Chairman Mao Tse-Tung.

Dedicated to Outremeuse and its traditions, this composition makes intelligent use of a very restricted space. Outremeuse, a folkloric district, is the cradle of Tchantchès, one of the symbols of Liège and, first and foremost, the hero of local puppet theatres. Recognisable thanks to his traditional clothes, particularly his red neckerchief with white polka dots, he shares this wall with another puppet: Nanesse, his wife. Lastly, a high, narrow wall is ideally used to depict the bouquet of Outremeuse. The origin of this metallic structure decorated with many floral elements, which takes pride of place during the festivities on 15th August, dates back to 1776.

On this sorrowful construction which stands out like a sore thumb from the picturesque houses on Rue Roture, this inelegant wall has been cleverly used as the canvas for an artistic creation. For 14 years, it was a colourful wall painting by Olivia de San and Gérard Michel that decorated this wall. It was replaced in 2018 by a creation by Psoman. Using sober colours, the illustrator chose to depict a crowd of animals, a theme that can be found in several of his works. The various shades used provide relief and create areas of shadow, which characterise the work of this graffiti artist.

Written in large letters and covering a good part of the wall, the Pitteurs artwork doesn’t go unnoticed. Although it may seem enigmatic, this artwork is just a reference to the school of Pitteurs. Instead, the representation of Tchanchès should draw your attention. Whereas on the painting located on rue Jean d’Outremeuse, Tchanchès is represented with childlike features, almost doll-like; here, he looks like a yelling drunkard with his bottle of “pekèt”, the name of a local alcohol drink. Even if they are diametrically opposed, these two representations show two of the multiple facets of the Tchanchès character. He is as much a children’s hero as this incorrigible pekèt drinker. Indeed, his excesses are causing his wife, Nanesse, legendary anger! However, she is represented here as serene and smiling. She probably didn’t realise her husband’s condition… 

As in many places throughout the world, worship of the Virgin Mary is present in Liège. One of the places where this popular devotion to the Mother of Christ finds its strongest expression is in the Outremeuse district, which is well-known for its many wooden potale mural chapels, the great majority of which contain a statue of the Virgin Mary, as well as for its celebration on 15th August, which originally stem from the Assumption, but which are also renowned for the popular festivities held. Consequently, it is not unusual to find such an immense depiction of the Virgin Mary in the Outremeuse district. However, the artist does surprise onlookers with the style used, inspired by South American culture. Indeed, the name of this creation is not unrelated to its source: La Milagrosa del barrio de Outremeuse (the miracle of the Outremeuse neighbourhood).

Created in the purest tradition of street art, this wall painting stands out due to the fact that it includes a crucifix. Just like the potales, many crucifixes can be found in the old streets of Liège, including those of Outremeuse. Illustrated by Mathieu a.k.a. Jaba, this painting pays witness to his taste for futuristic elements, a future made of metal, such as the armoured train that seems to be derailing. Since its creation in 2003, certain parts have been covered by other paintings. Among the many signatures, you will notice that of Nova Dead, already included in this trail.

may seem strange, even completely implausible, but Adèle Renault has made a name for herself by painting gigantic portraits of pigeons or parts of their plumage. Here again, she shows the utmost of her skills with this painting, created as part of the Art public Liège festival, in which the roles seem reversed. Indeed, for once, it is the onlooker who seems insignificant next to this huge pigeon which does not even deign to look at us. Thanks to her technique and sense of realism, Adèle Renault manages to glorify one of the most commonplace of animals. The fine colours of its plumage almost make onlookers want to stroke it, whereas, normally, the idea of such a gesture would seem absurd.

In 2017, the university decided to encircle some of the buildings on Place du 20-Août by a screen fence in order to carry out work on the base of the façades. This constraint was seen as an opportunity to create an immense series of illustrations highlighting the different faculties of the university as well as the work of several graffiti artists. An especially appreciable aspect is the mixture of styles, illustrating the great wealth of this street art. As such, while Ecto chose to depict the Faculty of Medicine in a style that is very realistic and even frightening with a doctor who would be at home in a horror film, J-boy decided to use cartoon figures to illustrate the H.E.C. business school. Other compositions are more conceptual, such as the one by Thisse who illustrated the part dedicated to the Faculty of Architecture. In the University of Liège logo, each faculty is linked to a colour. This colour code is also reproduced in the compositions produced for each faculty: yellow for Social Sciences, red for Medicine and purple for Law.

Illustrator Fabrizio Borrini, famous for his collaborations with the Spirou comic and as organiser of the comic festival L’usine à bulles, possesses a distinctive style. Located in a fairly drab environment, due to the presence of concrete and stone, this creation breathes life into the area. The illustrator’s taste for curves, points, bright colours and minute detail are all evident. Far from being oppressive, it contributes to the poetry of this creation, named Ma Liège rêvée (My dream Liège). While the buildings and water indeed allude to Liège, the rest of the city is completely immersed in the magic world of Borrini. To begin with, this work also decorated the columns supporting an aerial walkway but disappeared when it was demolished.

This narrow and far from welcoming alleyway was decorated in 2020 by a long wall painting that changed its nature. Created as part of the Art public Liège festival, this illustration, through its characters and its geometrical shapes, is evocative of the first video games. With this creation, Blancbec invites us to go on a journey. Certain elements allude to the great classical epics, such as the Trojan Horse, the Greek-inspired mermaid, or the galley. However, other elements call to mind the present era, such as the smartphone or the super-hero, who, on closer inspection, turns out to be wearing the garments of the god Hermes (a winged helmet and shoes). Furthermore, he is heading towards a peacock and a being that his half woman and half heifer, which are clear references to the myth of the nymph Io.

Located in the narrow street called Rue d’Amay, this creation decorates a wall of the concert hall named Le Forum. Many artists have trod the boards of this legendary stage in Liège. This is precisely the subject of this gallery of portraits that pays homage to the singers Charles Aznavour and Zazie, as well as to the comedians Djamel Debbouze, Gad Elmaleh, Virginie Hocq and Anthony Kavanagh. The various graphic elements around and behind the portraits, fit harmoniously with the elements already in place, such as the Art nouveau style spaces intended for displaying the programme on which only the name remains.

From a distance, the wall seems to be covered by a gigantic mosaic or hidden by a curtain of confetti. On coming closer, we understand that this impression is due to an incalculable quantity of coloured squares and rectangles. Popay is fond of this type of creation, which he has produced in several French cities and towns: Colmar, Grigny, Nancy or also Rodez. Sometimes the artist uses large, coloured lines that cross through his illustrations. This is not the case in Liège, where such an absence reinforces the impression of a mosaic or falling confetti. Popay has cleverly used the chimney to make the name of the work, La Halte (the halt) stand out. This name refers to a small theatre in Liège that occupied the building decorated by this painting. It closed in 2019.

Covering an unsightly concrete cube, this creation stands out due to the use of bright colours and patterns, including many geometrical shapes. Without perspective and concrete elements, unless it is the shapes themselves, it is difficult to find the meaning of this composition. As with balls, which are absent here but with which he covered a wall of the sports hall in Outremeuse, the presence of a square or a lozenge, made up of two white triangles and two red triangles, is common in the creations of David Bruce. The meaning of this recurring pattern should be sought, according to the illustrator, in the flags of the maritime code. The layering of different elements that form this code inform the passers-by that the surrounding water is of good quality. In short, David Bruce ensures a trouble-free stroll.