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
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
An extension of Underhill Walls and just a short walk away, Washington Walls continues to bring intrigue and beauty to a formerly neglected crosswalk in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. The whimsical image featured above was painted by multidisciplinary Brooklyn-based artist Jamia. What follows are a few more murals painted this past fall — all under the curatorial direction of Jeff Beler.
Miami-based Argentinian muralist Chuave
Queens-based Colombian multimedia artist Fernando Garcia aka Nandos
Brooklyn-based artist Kelvin Morel aka Kam
Queens native Jeff Rose King
Buenos Aires-born, NYC-based artist Sonni
Photos: Lois Stavsky
Pictured above is New York–based artist Brandon Sines‘ visual ode to NYC featuring his beloved, magical creation Frank Ape. What follows are several more homages to NYC off and on Houston Street that I captured this past Sunday.
The legendary Bronx-based artist John “Crash” Matos salutes the late Keith Haring in his ode to Downtown NYC. This mural also appears on the walls of the Ridge Hotel directly off East Houston Street.
Close-up of John “Crash” Matos mural featuring the artist’s signature eye
GRAFSTRACT originator Fumero brings his distinct aesthetic to Avalon Chemists’ on the corner of Houston & 2nd Avenue
Japanese artist Tomokazu Matsuyama‘s “homage to New York’s diversity” on the iconic Bowery Wall
Photos: Lois Stavsky
Currently on view at the corner of Underhill Avenue and Saint Johns Place is “What’s Your Sign?” — a captivating series of murals celebrating our Zodiac signs. The image featured above, a whimsical mix of all of our astrological signs, was fashioned by Rio de Janeiro-born, Brooklyn-based artist Barbtropolis. A small selection of additional Zodiac murals — painted under the curatorial direction of Jeff Beler — follow:
Queens-based muralist OG Millie does Sagittarius
NYC-based artist and arts educator Marissa Molina does Taurus
Ithica-based multimedia artist Clove and Bogota, Colombia-native Calicho Arevalo do Libra
Miami-based Nicaraguan artist Luis Valle aka El Chan Guri does Aires
Dumbo-based Craig Anthony Miller and veteran writer BC NBA do Leo
Brooklyn-based, Beijing-born muralist, illustrator and educator Peach Tao aka peacheeblue does Pisces
Note: Keep posted to the Street Art NYC Instagram and Threads for more images from “What’s Your Sign?”
Photos: Lois Stavsky
Home to a wonderfully diverse range of artworks, First Street Green Art Park continues to bring intrigue and charm to Houston Street and Second Avenue — where the Lower East Side meets the East Village. The bewitching image featured above was painted by stylemasters: Diego 127, Seb Gorey and Curve. What follows is a small selection of murals — curated under the direction of Jonathan Neville — captured on my recent visit to the park.
The playfully lovable Ratchi
Veteran writer Mastro
The ubiquitous OptimoNYC
Tony Washington takes us back to KIDS with a tribute mural
Hektad and Adam Dare share a message of LOVE
NSF crew member Bzee
Photos: Lois Stavsky
