Think of Málaga and art, and Picasso is probably the first thing to spring to mind. It’s only natural, then, that Málaga should break the mould and have one of the best street art scenes in Spain. InSpain’s mini-series on street art looks at Madrid, Málaga and Fanzara.
Regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, Picasso co-founded the Cubist movement, invented constructed sculpture, co-invented collage, and introduced a wide variety of styles to the art scene. Málaga, so proud of its son, has developed to become one of the foremost cities for art in Spain.
A wide range of art galleries display works from across the centuries, but the biggest gallery is the city itself.
Málaga urban street art (MAUS)
Málaga’s urban street art (MAUS) thrives in the city’s Soho district. Known as the ‘Barrio de las Artes’, it grew out of an initiative to revitalise the neighbourhood. Once a bourgeois area with beautiful architecture, it was rundown but is now home to cultural events and street art.
From the area behind the CAC (Centre for Contemporary Art) down to the Paseo del Parque are fantastic murals, many of which have plaques with a QR code so you can learn more about them.
Lagunillas neighbourhood
Just 50 metres from Picasso’s birthplace and Plaza de la Merced,in the historic centre of Málaga, is the Lagunillas neighborhood. Its name comes from some small lagoons formerly in the area.
The urban art here is different to that found in Soho. It is a more spontaneous movement, driven by key people in the area. One was Miguel Ángel Chamorro, the promoter of cultural life in the neighbourhood with his association “Fantasía en Lagunillas”. Later, the graffiti artists arrived: Concha Rodríguez and Dita Segura, who got the support of local and national artists to start decorating the deteriorated walls of Lagunillas .
San Felipe Neri
Tucked along a wall below the main street level next to a huge veterinary, is a wall of small individual pieces. A mix of styles, it is not far from the Museo de Jorge Rando another of Málaga’s foremost artists.
There are a number of tours available that will take you through the best districts and explain the history and different styles you will see.
For an insight into Madrid’s art scene, click here.
