Skeletons have long captured the imagination of street artists, symbolizing what lies beneath the surface—literally and metaphorically. From vibrant Día de los Muertos tributes to x-ray illusions, these 12 artworks explore identity, mortality, and transparency in public space. This collection spans cities like Crotone, Guadalajara, London, Melbourne, and New York—each mural or installation offering a different layer of urban anatomy.
More!: Skeleton Art (23 Photos)
1. The Architect — INSANE 51 in Crotone, Italy
This stunning double-exposure mural shows a woman’s portrait seamlessly shifting into a skeletal x-ray when viewed through red and cyan filters. The final full-color version merges the two, with precise anatomical detail in the skull and ribcage rendered in cool blue and overlaid by a serene red-tinted face.
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2. La Lupita — Emmanuel Cuevas Visual in Guadalajara, Mexico
A rich, colorful tribute blending Frida Kahlo’s likeness with a central sugar skull. The mural wraps around architectural features like a window and flower-shaped grille. Vivid floral and traditional motifs surround the skeletal core.
More photos: Frida Kahlo’s Enduring Spirit: A Striking Mural Unveiled at La Lupita Cantina in Guadalajara, Mexico
3. Airhead — SHOK-1 in London, UK
A balloon floats upward—but this one’s no ordinary balloon. Rendered in smoky x-ray style, it’s shaped like a human skull. The artist is pictured holding the string, making the illusion complete.
4. Basquiat Tribute — By Banksy
This piece echoes the chaotic brilliance of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s signature figure, shown being frisked by two police officers. The skeleton-like character stands out in vibrant reds, yellows, and blacks, clashing with the grayscale officers.
More by Banksy!: 24 artworks by Banksy: Who Is The Visionary of Street Art?
5. Labels — By ItSkeletal
Seven skeletons stand shoulder to shoulder, identical in every way except for the chalked labels above them: white, black, straight, gay, religious, atheist, pirate. A visual reminder that beneath it all, we’re the same.
More by ItSkeletal!: ItSkeletal’s Skeleton Street Art Will Make You Laugh—Then Think
6. Radium — SHOK-1 in Le Locle, Switzerland
Painted on the side of a building in the birthplace of Swiss watchmaking, this mural by SHOK-1 features a luminous green x-ray of a hand delicately holding a pencil. Titled Radium, the artwork references both radioactive glow and the history of radium watch dial painters—many of whom suffered health effects from exposure. SHOK-1’s translucent technique draws attention to hidden systems, precision, and time, all central to the city’s identity.
More about the mural!: Mural on the tragic story of the Radium Girls
7. Dino Skeleton — SCAF in Lorraine, France
A giant T. rex skeleton bursts from a crumbling wall, jaw wide open as if roaring. Painted with hyperrealistic shadowing, the mural interacts with a real red light fixture that looks like the dino’s eye.
More!: 26 Amazing 3D Paintings by SCAF!
8. Skeleton with Bird — SMUG in Frankston, Australia
A massive skeleton tenderly interacts with a blue bird perched on its finger. The mural stretches across a multi-story building, blending anatomical detail with an unexpected softness.
More by SMUG!: 24 Times SMUG Made Walls Look More Real Than Life
9. Selfie Skeleton — KITT in Melbourne, Australia
A playful, oversized skeleton lies sprawled across a city lot, taking a selfie. Complete with Converse-style sneakers and pink “hair”, the figure turns skeletal imagery into satire of modern life.
More photos!: Huge Skeleton Mural by KITT in Melbourne, Australia (5 Photos)
10. Skull Building — Suitswon in Brooklyn, New York, USA
This abandoned structure’s windows and wear form the eyes and teeth of a massive skull illusion. The artwork is minimal but haunting, using the building’s erosion as part of the design.
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11. By Madjer Linares in San Vicente , El Salvador.
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12. By WEB3 and SKASE in Cazzago San Martino, Italy
For Street View Jam • Vol. 4 2025 Graffiti Festival.
🔗 Follow WEB3 and SKASE on Instagram
More: 15 Powerful Art Pieces Overflowing With Emotion
Which one is your favorite?
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Btw the one with all the different skeletons (straight, gay, ect) the pirate is missing a leg 🙂
Oh, and also, the Dino skeleton has a hat above it which is a reference to Cappy from Mario Odyssey if I remember correctly 🙂
They are all beautiful and the people that did them are so talented. It’s nice to see unusual things like these. Thank you so much for Sharing.
Whatever AI slop was used to write about the art pieces needs a tune up.
Half the descriptions are inaccurate or simplistic to the point of being idiotic.
[…] More: Skeleton Art (11 Photos) […]
I agree with “Observation’s” comment regarding that “Parking lot skeleton. It was also my first interpretation of the artist’s intent. I wondered what the narrator, who wrote short interpretations for each artwork, was on, since some comments were “off the mark”! My favorite was the skeleton and the bird, however the skull behind the cellophane “popped”. The Skull building art juxtaposition with ruin, looked ominous (great look) and the police frisking that creature ( comment on society), both were mentionable. Otherwise, all of these artworks were excellent in their presentation.
Pretty sure that’s not pink hair; to me it appears to represent the brain being consumed by the smartphone
Exactly. I came to make the same observation but see there are other people with the same perception. 👍
It’s a well known truth…but we as a Human Being wants to deny and hide. We always fight for money, women/men, kids, property but at the end from inside we are like #5. It’s not about cast, creed, colour or anything…our end is same and we look same.
I wish the beer drinking skeletons are there, not just in the thump nail
Wonderful! I think the streets are becoming not only a popular Gallery but places to show different ways of thinking. An alternative media for artists to denounce the effects and the attroceties of war.