Street Art City Guide to Stavanger, Norway*
The city of Stavanger has in recent years become one of the must-visit European street art hot spots for some of the freshest street art and mural artworks.
Located on the western coast of Norway, and known to many as the energy and oil capital of Europe, Stavanger has slowly been gaining recognition globally for the cities art and culture and is now considered one of the world’s leading destinations for street art by fans and enthusiasts.
Street Art City Guide to Stavanger, Norway
Street Art City Guide to Stavanger, Norway
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This coastal city with its 18th and 19th-century wooden houses seems an unlikely location as a leading destination for street art, but this city hosts works from some of the leading practitioners of the street art movement.
The explosion of street art across the city is for the most part a result of the annual NuArt Festival. Founded by Martyn Reed in the early 2000s, the festival started life as a sister festival to the NuMusic electronic festival also run by Reed.
The Stavanger NuMusic festival ran for 15 years with NuArt running alongside the music festival until 2015 when Reed shifted his focus to other projects, launching a gallery in Stavanger and a second sister edition of the NuArt Festival in Aberdeen, Scotland in 2017.
Our first visit to Stavanger and the NuArt Festival was back in 2014 and we were delighted to re-visit the city again this year during the most recent edition of the festival - invited back on this occasion by Visit Norway and Region Stavanger to explore the city's street art and take in some of the countries breathtaking nature, culture and gastronomy.
Stavanger's NuArt Street Art Festival
One of the supersized cruise ships docked in the Stavanger harbour.
The work of South African street artist Faith47, painted in Stavanger for the 2013 edition of the NuArt Festival.
Isaac Cordal — The Belgian-based Spanish artist's work can be found right across Stavanger. The small sculptural works are often installed high above eye level so be sure to look up when walking around the city.
This large blue whale is one of two large street art mural works in Stavanger painted by Belgian street artist ROA who visited the city in 2013.
Work painted in 2017 in Stavanger by Saman and Sasan Oskouei (aka Icy and Sot) - Contemporary artists from Tabriz, Iran.
The mural work of German duo Herakut (Jasmin Siddiqui known as Hera, and Falk Lehmann, known as Akut) painted in Stavanger, Norway. 2017. Herakut were a graffiti / street artist duo who began painting in the early 2000s
The explosion of street art across the city is for the most part a result of the annual NuArt Festival. Founded by Martyn Reed in the early 2000s, the festival started life as a sister festival to the NuMusic electronic festival also run by Reed.
The Stavanger NuMusic festival ran for 15 years with NuArt running alongside the music festival until 2015 when Reed shifted his focus to other projects, launching a gallery in Stavanger and a second sister edition of the NuArt Festival in Aberdeen, Scotland in 2017.
Our first visit to Stavanger and the NuArt Festival was back in 2014 and we were delighted to re-visit the city again this year during the most recent edition of the festival - invited back on this occasion by Visit Norway and Region Stavanger to explore the city's street art and take in some of the countries breathtaking nature, culture and gastronomy.
Stavanger's NuArt Street Art Festival
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Each year the annual NuArt festival invites a selection of international and national street artists and muralists to create murals and artworks in Stavanger, both outdoors on the streets and indoors in the form of a large-scale exhibition at the Tou Scene art space, a former beer brewery now used as a multi-functional space for contemporary arts.
With the festival organisers attempting to locate new walls for each edition of the festival, numerous works from previous NuArt editions are still visible around the city. Some are weathered by the coastal climate, and others still look surprisingly fresh considering their age.
Works from as far back as 2008 are located right across Stavanger - from the city centre to the Harbour and further afield there is plenty of quality Stavanger Street Art to be discovered.
Download a copy of the Stavanger street art map located at the bottom of this post, before you set off either by foot or by bike should you want to cover more ground.
With the festival organisers attempting to locate new walls for each edition of the festival, numerous works from previous NuArt editions are still visible around the city. Some are weathered by the coastal climate, and others still look surprisingly fresh considering their age.
Works from as far back as 2008 are located right across Stavanger - from the city centre to the Harbour and further afield there is plenty of quality Stavanger Street Art to be discovered.
Download a copy of the Stavanger street art map located at the bottom of this post, before you set off either by foot or by bike should you want to cover more ground.
We suggest following the map on foot as it will allow you to explore some of the historic parts of Stavanger while also seeking out street art.
The NuArt festival traditionally takes place around the last week of August / first week of September — we suggest checking the NuArt festival website and their social channels if you want to plan your city visit during the festival.
LA-based artists Dabs and Myla's mural is located in Stavanger city centre.
Stavanger City Centre Street Art
The NuArt festival traditionally takes place around the last week of August / first week of September — we suggest checking the NuArt festival website and their social channels if you want to plan your city visit during the festival.
LA-based artists Dabs and Myla's mural is located in Stavanger city centre.
Stavanger City Centre Street Art
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Unlike some cities where street art is focused in one or two areas in the city, you can expect to find street art right across Stavanger including the city centre.
Wander around the cobbled pedestrian streets of the cities centres shopping district and find works by Norweigan street artist Martin Watson, US artist NDA Streetart, Dabs and Myla, Logan Hicks, John Feckner, UK street artist Ben Eine, JPS, SPY, Niels Shoe Meulam, Ernest Zaxharevic, Slava Ptrk and Belgian Stencil artist Jaune.
Be sure to look up and down too when walking around as there are several altered street signs by New York-based artist Dan Witz still to be seen and miniature concrete-looking tower blocks by German stencil artist EVOL who transformed a number of the street-level electrical boxes.
Visit Øvre Holmegate named Stavanger's most colourful street where all the buildings have been painted in vibrant colours, here you will spot some beautiful life-size wheat-pasted work from New York street artist Swoon plus works from artist David Choe.
London street artist Ben Eine's typographic mural work from the 2012 edition of the NuArt street art festival and still going strong.
Stavanger Harbour
Wander around the cobbled pedestrian streets of the cities centres shopping district and find works by Norweigan street artist Martin Watson, US artist NDA Streetart, Dabs and Myla, Logan Hicks, John Feckner, UK street artist Ben Eine, JPS, SPY, Niels Shoe Meulam, Ernest Zaxharevic, Slava Ptrk and Belgian Stencil artist Jaune.
Be sure to look up and down too when walking around as there are several altered street signs by New York-based artist Dan Witz still to be seen and miniature concrete-looking tower blocks by German stencil artist EVOL who transformed a number of the street-level electrical boxes.
Visit Øvre Holmegate named Stavanger's most colourful street where all the buildings have been painted in vibrant colours, here you will spot some beautiful life-size wheat-pasted work from New York street artist Swoon plus works from artist David Choe.
London street artist Ben Eine's typographic mural work from the 2012 edition of the NuArt street art festival and still going strong.
Stavanger Harbour
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A short stroll from the main shopping streets and you will find yourself at the equally colourful Stavanger Harbour. As the 3rd largest Norwegian cruise port it's not uncommon to see supersized cruise ships docked right in the heart of the city.
The port is also the jump-off point for cruises to the spectacular Lysefjord and Preikestolen (the Pulpit Rock) which are just an hour’s boat trip away from the city.
Walking around this part of the city you will find street artworks by street artists DalEast, Futura, Faith47, Nick Walker, Ampparito, Jaune, Martin Watson and Sandra Chevalier.
The port is also the jump-off point for cruises to the spectacular Lysefjord and Preikestolen (the Pulpit Rock) which are just an hour’s boat trip away from the city.
Walking around this part of the city you will find street artworks by street artists DalEast, Futura, Faith47, Nick Walker, Ampparito, Jaune, Martin Watson and Sandra Chevalier.
One of the supersized cruise ships docked in the Stavanger harbour.
The work of South African street artist Faith47, painted in Stavanger for the 2013 edition of the NuArt Festival.
Isaac Cordal — The Belgian-based Spanish artist's work can be found right across Stavanger. The small sculptural works are often installed high above eye level so be sure to look up when walking around the city.
This large blue whale is one of two large street art mural works in Stavanger painted by Belgian street artist ROA who visited the city in 2013.
Work painted in 2017 in Stavanger by Saman and Sasan Oskouei (aka Icy and Sot) - Contemporary artists from Tabriz, Iran.
The mural work of German duo Herakut (Jasmin Siddiqui known as Hera, and Falk Lehmann, known as Akut) painted in Stavanger, Norway. 2017. Herakut were a graffiti / street artist duo who began painting in the early 2000s
Pøbel meaning hooligan is a pseudonymous Norwegian street artist based in Stavanger. This lifesized stencil work was sprayed on the wall back in 2010 with fellow Norwegian artist Østrem who we believe painted the pieces' letters is starting to slowly fade as the elements weather the paint on this piece.
Polish duo ETAM Crew painted this large-scale mural titled “The first day of school” back in 2014 and is still looking fresh.
Stavanger Street Art at the Tou Scene Space
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Location: Kvitsøygata 25, 4014 Stavanger, Norway.
This former brewery and now contemporary art space is where the NuArt Festival team are based during the festival and the location of the large-scale indoor exhibitions staged during the festival.
The NuArt Plus Symposium is also held at the venue with a series of talks, presentations, workshops, panel debates, and film screenings.
Street Art Tours in Stavanger
Follow our Hookedblog Pinterest Boards for even more Street Art.
This wonderful work by Portuguese artist Vhils is a little tricky to locate, it took us three visits to track this piece down, exploring all the side streets and laneways. Be sure to save a copy of the Stanvager Street Art which will help you locate all the works featured.
Titled “Sofia and the mountain”, the mural work above is that of Norwegian street artist Nimi.
One of a number of large works painted by French street artists Ella & Pitr in Stavanger, Norway. 2017
How and Nosm are twin graffiti artists Raoul Perre and Davide Perre from New York City. Pictured is a mural they painted in Stavanger, Norway. 2017
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This former brewery and now contemporary art space is where the NuArt Festival team are based during the festival and the location of the large-scale indoor exhibitions staged during the festival.
The NuArt Plus Symposium is also held at the venue with a series of talks, presentations, workshops, panel debates, and film screenings.
You will also find a large number of street artworks in and around the Tou Scene space as well as on the building itself.
Expect to see work from French stencil artist C215, John Feckner, Strok, Bahia Shehab, Icy and Sot, Spanish artist Isaac Cordal, Eron, Escif, ±MaisMenos±, Outings Project, Slava Ptrk and Portuguese street artist AddFuel to name a few of the artists who have left their mark on the exterior of the Tou Scene building.
Stavanger Street Art Beyond Tou Scene
Expect to see work from French stencil artist C215, John Feckner, Strok, Bahia Shehab, Icy and Sot, Spanish artist Isaac Cordal, Eron, Escif, ±MaisMenos±, Outings Project, Slava Ptrk and Portuguese street artist AddFuel to name a few of the artists who have left their mark on the exterior of the Tou Scene building.
Stavanger Street Art Beyond Tou Scene
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Take a wander a little bit further out past the Tour Scene space and you will discover some stunning murals and street works by Australian artist Fintan Magee, Spy, Henrik Uldalen, Hyuro, Borondo, Ricky Lee Gordon and Know Hope amongst others. Check the map for these locations.
Australian artist Fintan Magee painted this work titled ‘Monument to a Disappearing Monument' for the 2016 edition of the festival. Magee spent two weeks working across the two 50m silos on this dual mural that is one of the largest works to date created in the city.
Update: Fintan Magee "Monument to a Disappearing Monument" is sadly no more as the silos have been demolished since our last visit and the land has been redeveloped.
"ALIVE' is a work by artist SPY in Stavanger, Norway.
Henrik Uldalen in Stavanger, Norway. 2017
Portuguese Street Artist Add Fuel
Australian artist Fintan Magee painted this work titled ‘Monument to a Disappearing Monument' for the 2016 edition of the festival. Magee spent two weeks working across the two 50m silos on this dual mural that is one of the largest works to date created in the city.
Update: Fintan Magee "Monument to a Disappearing Monument" is sadly no more as the silos have been demolished since our last visit and the land has been redeveloped.
"ALIVE' is a work by artist SPY in Stavanger, Norway.
Henrik Uldalen in Stavanger, Norway. 2017
Portuguese Street Artist Add Fuel
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A new addition as of 2017 to the Stavanger Airport in Sola just outside the city. The mural features the work of Portuguese artist Add Fuel who was invited by the NuArt team to add his work to the two existing street artworks that greet you on your arrival at Stavanger Airport. Add Fuel's mural is a rework of the traditional ‘Rosemåling’ patterns taken from the Rogaland region in Norway.
Stavanger Street Art Map
Stavanger Street Art Map
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If you are planning to visit Stavanger in Norway, the team at NuArt have created the Google map below which will help you track down the exact locations of all the Stavanger street art around the city.
Street Art Tours in Stavanger
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While the street art map we have shared is a great way to navigate your way around the city and locate the street art and murals, sometimes it’s good to take a tour and hear the history and stories behind the works.
Nuart runs 90 minutes private tours for groups of all sizes and ages taking in the works both little and large from the festival across the city.
Nuart runs 90 minutes private tours for groups of all sizes and ages taking in the works both little and large from the festival across the city.
Private street art tours start from 3000NOK for the first 15 people, plus 100NOK for each additional person with the tours available in both English and Norwegian.
To arrange a tour get in touch with the Nuart team via email Tours are available in both English and Norwegian.
Stavanger Street Art Picture Gallery
Axel Void in Stavanger, Norway.
Martin Whatson collaborated with Sandra Chevalier in Stavanger, Norway.
This fun cross-stitch mural pictured above is the work of artist Ernest Zacharevic, who took inspiration from Norwegian knitting patterns.
Stavanger Street Art Picture Gallery
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Axel Void in Stavanger, Norway.
Martin Whatson collaborated with Sandra Chevalier in Stavanger, Norway.
This fun cross-stitch mural pictured above is the work of artist Ernest Zacharevic, who took inspiration from Norwegian knitting patterns.
Follow our Hookedblog Pinterest Boards for even more Street Art.
This wonderful work by Portuguese artist Vhils is a little tricky to locate, it took us three visits to track this piece down, exploring all the side streets and laneways. Be sure to save a copy of the Stanvager Street Art which will help you locate all the works featured.
Titled “Sofia and the mountain”, the mural work above is that of Norwegian street artist Nimi.
One of a number of large works painted by French street artists Ella & Pitr in Stavanger, Norway. 2017
How and Nosm are twin graffiti artists Raoul Perre and Davide Perre from New York City. Pictured is a mural they painted in Stavanger, Norway. 2017
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Add Fuel Mural for NuArt Aberdeen, Scotland.
VHILS for the Phytology Project in London.
Hanging out on the Stavanger streets with stencil artist Jaune
VHILS for the Phytology Project in London.
Hanging out on the Stavanger streets with stencil artist Jaune
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*Visit Norway and Region Stavanger kindly hosted our Stavanger trip, but all opinions are as always our own.
*Visit Norway and Region Stavanger kindly hosted our Stavanger trip, but all opinions are as always our own.
