This mural of two lovers was a colorful and captivating piece on the side of a building in Phoenix Arizona. Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher.
By Michael Aaron Gallagher
“Rise Above” graffiti photoshoot with matte black Honda Shadow Phantom motorcycle. Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher.
From the graffiti covered Michael Jordan poster on my bedroom wall as a child to the unforgettable orange and yellow graffiti mural on the side of the highway in the 1990s that said “Devil’s Playground,” the color and artistry of street art and its culture has always captivated my attention. The controversial idea that the art and message itself is more important than the ownership of the canvas it is applied to is intriguing.
Over the years, I have tried to photograph some of the graffiti, mosaics and painted art murals I have seen in my travels. In 2019, I refused to photograph the famous Wynwood Walls in Miami during my visit, because I felt it was too commercialized and lacked authenticity. I would like to do a more in-depth series of photographs on the entire subject of street art in the future. In the mean time, here are some of the images I have snapped on roadsides and alleyways in appreciation of the talent and emotion that the works evoke. I will add more photos to the page as I come across them.
Lisa Simpson graffiti art mural in an alleyway in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher.
One of the best street art murals I’ve ever seen was by Adrian Dominic in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher.
Graffiti mural on the side of Frida’s Garden, at 2800 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ. Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher.
“Do Good, Be Good, Work Hard, Play Hard” painted art mural in an alley in Phoenix, AZ. Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher.
Art mural by Maggie Keane in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher.
Art mural on a building by unknown artist in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher.
Art mural by artist Nyla Lee in Phoenix, AZ. Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher.
Art mural by artist Pablo Luna (who passed away in 2022) on a wall in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher.
Graffiti in an unfinished room at Boldt Castle in the Thousand Islands. Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher.
Like the star-studded “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Gottfried Helnwein, which was inspired by the Edward Hopper painting “Nighthawks,” this Cape Cod version of the artwork is painted on the wall of the Marine Liquors Beer and Wine store in Dennis, Massachussetts. The extraordinary mural features President John F. Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Roy Schneider from Jaws and other well known characters from the area. Photo by Michael Aaron Gallagher.