From tiny chalk mice hiding in plain sight to massive murals that define a neighborhood, these works do more than decorate. They make you feel.
Whether it’s a fleeting sand spiral in Wales or a renovated masterpiece in Italy, these artists prove that street art isn’t just paint on a wall—it’s an emotion. Here are 10 pieces that pulled at our heartstrings.
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🐭 1. The Elopement — By David Zinn in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA 🇺🇸
Created on New Year’s Day 2024, this piece proves that you don’t need a massive wall to tell a big story. Using charcoal and what Zinn calls “an ambitious strand of ivy,” he creates a romantic getaway for two tiny mice. It’s a perfect example of his whimsical style—see 21 more photos of his art here.
🔗 Follow David Zinn on Instagram
🌀 2. Stone Spiral — By Jon Foreman in Pembrokeshire, Wales 🏴
Jon Foreman (Sculpt The World) doesn’t just arrange stones; he collaborates with the landscape. This hypnotic spiral on a Welsh beach is a study in patience and impermanence. It will be washed away by the tide, but for a moment, it brings perfect order to the chaos of nature. See more of his incredible land art here.
🔗 Follow Jon Foreman on Instagram
🌿 3. Stillness in Motion — By Olga Ziemska in Oronsko, Poland 🇵🇱
Part of her long-running “Matka” series, this sculpture at the Centre of Polish Sculpture uses locally harvested willow branches to create a figure that is literally of its environment. Created around 2002-2003, it explores how our surroundings shape our identity. It’s hauntingly beautiful and seamlessly integrated into the forest.
🔗 Follow Olga Ziemska on Instagram
😇 4. Ángela — By Asem Navarro in Madrid, Spain 🇪🇸
Commissioned by the Junta Municipal de Moratalaz, this mural brings a serene, almost sacred atmosphere to the urban block. Navarro’s use of soft light and the winged figure creates a “guardian” for the residents, turning a plain facade into a moment of peace. You can find more playful street art interventions here.
🔗 Follow Asem Navarro on Instagram
🌸 5. Bird and Bloom — By Alegria del Prado in Limay, France 🇫🇷
Painted for the Wall City festival, this piece showcases the signature style of duo Octavio Alegria and Esther del Prado. It’s not just a bird; it’s an ecosystem. Look closely and you’ll see tiny houses and structures woven into the flora and feathers—a beautiful metaphor for how nature and civilization intertwine.
🔗 Follow Alegria del Prado on Instagram
🐶 6. “E ‘Torre” — By Giulio Masieri in Pordenone, Italy 🇮🇹
This isn’t just a random dog! During the lockdown, Masieri started painting animals in the Torre district of Pordenone to bring life back to the quiet streets. It began with a cat and evolved into a neighborhood-wide “invasion” of friendly beasts. This sleeping giant seems to be guarding the peace of the Torre community.
🔗 Follow Giulio Masieri on Instagram
✨ 7. Dreams in Bloom — By TUZQ in Antwerp, Belgium 🇧🇪
Created for the Walls of BoHo (Borgerhout) Street Art Festival 2025. TUZQ captures a fleeting, dreamlike state with soft pinks and blues. The floating petals give the static wall a sense of gentle movement, offering passersby a moment of calm in the busy city.
🔗 Follow TUZQ on Instagram
🐯 8. White Tiger — By Alegria del Prado in Balashikha, Russia 🇷🇺
Another stunner from Alegria del Prado, painted for the Urban Morphogenesis festival. This massive white tiger isn’t just an animal portrait; it’s a canvas within a canvas. The intricate patterns inside the fur represent the rich, hidden layers of nature that we often overlook.
🔗 Follow Alegria del Prado on Instagram
⚓ 9. Salty Sea Dog — By Elle Koziupa in Newquay, Cornwall, UK 🇬🇧
You can almost smell the salt air. Elle Koziupa captures the soul of Cornwall’s fishing heritage with this portrait. The candlelight glow is technically brilliant, adding a warmth and intimacy that makes you feel like you’re sitting right there in the cabin with him, listening to old sea tales.
🔗 Follow Elle Koziupa on Instagram
🤫 10. QUIET — By Millo in Turin, Italy 🇮🇹
In 2024, Millo returned to Turin to renovate this iconic work, originally painted nearly a decade earlier. Supported by Fondazione Contrada Torino, it’s a rare example of a street artist caring for their legacy. The message remains timeless: in the noisy chaos of the city (and life), sometimes you just need to pull up the covers and find a quiet space.
🔗 Follow Millo on Instagram
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