Barcelona-based artist Germán Bel, aka Fasim, recently fashioned a large-scale mural for BesArt The River Museum. Titled Stop Wars!, the hugely impressive work is a poetic reflection on armed conflict, blending classical iconography with images of war, fragmented bodies, snakes, hybrid figures, and other symbolic forms in Fasim’s distinctive visual language.
The mural is part of BesArt The River Museum, a momentous open-air urban art project promoted by the Mediterranean Street Art Association (AMSA). Founded and directed by David Hernández and curated by Jordi Rubio, the museum stretches for more than 18 kilometers along the Besòs River, linking Barcelona, Sant Adrià de Besòs, and Santa Coloma de Gramenet in one of Europe’s most extensive public art initiatives.
Featured above is the mural in its entirety. What follows are several close-ups — including those documenting the artist at work:
First segment of the mural with assembled elements: Greek mythology, a tank, a tiger, and a piece of Spider-Man
Second segment of the mural with assembled elements: Artemis, the goddess of the hunt; the Hydra from Greek mythology; a tiger; and characters from the Marvel universe
Fasim at work with cyclist passing through
Fasim at work, close-up
All photos courtesy BesArt 2026
Established by local community members in 2024, Welling Walls continues the transformation of Welling Court and its neighboring blocks into an intriguing open-air gallery. The mural pictured above was painted by Queens-native illustrator and muralist Annabelle Popa. Several more murals captured last week in the blazing heat at this western Astoria site follow:
Colombian American artist Felix Morelo
NYC-based Mad Vaillan
Brooklyn-native Panic Rodriguez
NYC-based Japanese artist Shiro One
Veteran style master Yes One
Japanese American artist Kosuke James
Queens-based Mexican artist Onel
Astoria-based self-taught Filipino artist Jason B
Colombia-born, NYC-based art director and artist Jonathan Ramírez Ceballos
Photos by Lois Stavsky
Featured above are the iconic “COMPANION” characters fashioned by legendary Jersey City native KAWS installed on the riverfront in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. What follows are several more images of curious characters captured in NYC open spaces:
Bristol native and renowned stencil artist Nick Walker at the Bushwick Collective
Gowanus-based artist David Barthold with Beam Center youth apprentices, “Hurly-Whirly” at 4th Ave and 2nd St in Brooklyn
Miami native Woody De Othello,”Inner Knowing” on view in his outdoor sculpture exhibit “Guardian Spirit” at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Hawaii native Buff Monster on the Lower East Side
LA native Frank Ape outside the Ridge Hotel on the Lower East Side
Miami-based Golden at Boone Avenue Walls in the Bronx
Photo credits: 1, 2, 5-7 Lois Stavsky; 3-4 Tara Murray
Earlier this month, the distinctly innovative Valencia-based duo PichiAvo brought their talents to Athens, Greece. Working in their signature style—fusing classical figures with bold graffiti writing—they pay homage to Athena, the city’s patron goddess, whose mythological gift of the olive tree symbolizes peace and prosperity.
Conceived as a self-funded artistic gesture to Athens, the duo’s first major project in Greece stylishly fosters a dialogue between ancient mythology and contemporary urban culture.
Developed over the course of more than two years, PichiAvo’s gift to the city has strikingly exalted Athens’ visual landscape.
Close-up
Aerial view 
Work in progress
The artists
All photos courtesy Maximus Communications
Under the curatorial direction of Jeff Beler, the walls on Washington Avenue off Clark Place have once again been transformed. Celebrating pop culture anniversaries through a range of styles and subjects, the new murals brim with whimsy and charm. Pictured above is Brooklyn-based artist Kelvin Morel aka Kam’s vibrant salute to the Chinese Year of the Horse. A small selection of images I captured follow:
NYC-based artist and arts educator Marissa Molina celebrates 35 years of Sonic
Rio de Janeiro-born, Brooklyn-based artist Barbtropolis celebrates the World Cup 2026
Queens-based artist LeCrue Eyebrows dedicates his mural to 50 years of Hotel California
GRAFSTRACT originator Fumero celebrates Tina Turner
Multidisciplinary artist Jordana Alexis Abrenica celebrates 100 years of Miles Davis
The prolific Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary artist Jason Naylor salutes Wu Tang
Photos by Lois Stavsky
