Growing Up (9 Photos)

From the underwater quiet of a child holding her breath to a hopscotch path that ends in the unknown, these 9 artworks explore the emotional depths of childhood through public art. Painted across water towers, walls, and pavement in Argentina, France, Spain, Belgium, and beyond, they capture more than just young faces—they reflect the inner worlds children create when they dream, escape, protect, and imagine.

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1. La Magia de los Sueños – KATO | Fuengirola, Spain

A young girl kneels at the edge of the sea, gently cupping a glowing star in her hands. The painted sunset bathes the mural in golden light, reflecting off the water to create a dreamlike sense of wonder and possibility.

More by KATO!: 6 Cute Murals By KATO: Bringing Walls to Life

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2. Underwater Mural – Martin Ron | Miramar, Argentina

Painted across two sides of a water tower for Bienal Miramar, this hyperrealistic mural by Martin Ron captures two children immersed in blue depths. One side shows a girl swimming upward with outstretched arms and a look of calm determination. The other side shows a boy diving forward through water, his flowing behind him. Both sides use the tower’s cylindrical form to enhance the feeling of motion and immersion.

More!: 9 Martín Ron Murals That Redefine Urban Art

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3. A Swing in the Summer Light – ATTORREP (Antonino Perrotta) | Belsito, Italy

A girl swings into a painted mountain landscape, placed precisely on the wall of a crumbling house. The mural blends dream and decay, childhood movement and architectural stillness.

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4. The Hopscotch Leap – Seth Globepainter | Paris, France

In this emotional piece painted in La Butte aux Cailles, a real child stands at the edge of a hopscotch path that leads toward a mural of a painted girl leaping into a blank wall. The moment captures hesitation, imagination, and the unknown—blurring the line between reality and art.

More!: 33 Murals That Turn Walls Into Wonders: Seth’s Street Art Will Blow Your Mind

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5. Wish Maker – VYRUS | Calais, France

A profile view of a child blowing on a dandelion transforms into a surreal landscape of clouds and sea at sunset. The mural is calm, glowing, and filled with layered visual metaphor.

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6. Band-Aid Girl

This monochrome mural depicts a small child kneeling to place band-aids over cracks in the street. A soft but powerful gesture of repair and tenderness in a broken world.

7. Joy in Color – Rosalie de Graaf | Zwolle, Netherlands

Four children beam with laughter, their faces covered in paint, surrounded by colorful butterflies and nature. An explosion of energy, connection, and summer joy.

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8. Jade and Moggy Cat – Nina Valkhoff | Ghent, Belgium

A quiet, beautiful mural of a child embracing a black cat. Stylized leaves, aquatic tones, and floating fish make this a peaceful portrait of companionship and quiet magic.

More!: Enchanting Street Art by Nina Valkhoff: Celebrating Wildlife and Nature on Urban Walls

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9. Periscope — Seth in Shanghai, China

In a clever use of existing piping, a small painted child crouches and peers through a pipe formation like a submarine periscope. The art blends seamlessly into the real structure, turning utilities into imagination. More by Seth!: 34 Murals That Turn Walls Into Wonders: Seth’s Street Art Will Blow Your Mind

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