That Time I Died and Went to Street Art Heaven a.k.a Strolling through Valparaiso, Chile

I had always imagined that during my travels through South America I would find so many places that I’d be desperate to live in, so much so that it would make it hard to leave. However, all through Argentina and what I’d seen of Chile, nothing had really drawn me in – until I got to Valparaiso.

The artwork on the outside on the hostel I stayed in – Pata Pata

As I took a taxi from the bus station, the lower part of town looked like an absolute dump, and I was wondering what exactly it was that everyone was raving on about. But as I got closer to my hostel, and the driver took me up the hill, the walls became more decorative, and quirky, independant shops and cafes started cropping up in increasing numbers. By the time we reached the top, I was sold.

Anyone who personally knows me will be aware of my hippie tendancies,  and anyone who’s been to Valparaiso will know that this town and that creative and care-free attitude go hand in hand. Plastered from corner to corner with street art, Tibetan flags, and numerous oddities made from reused junk yard miscellany, Valparaiso was somewhere that captured me from the beginning. There’s just something about a town covered in street art that makes me feel like part of a community. It’s like you’re breathing in pure creativity, inspired by every line and shape drawn on those walls and really feeling the pulse of a city.

There seemed to be so many different styles of street art here – from Banksy inspired stencil prints, to Van Gogh-esque brush techniqes, to simple sketches that make full on masterpieces. You can actually take street art tours through Valparaiso, which will give you some information on the artists that work there and the stories behind the magic.

This piece was opposite my hostel, and kind of reminded me of something from a bizarre and macabre children’s book (humping dogs aside)

‘Donde esata tu mama?’ Where is your MAMA?!

I really loved this sunflowers piece, and I think we can all agree that it has some ‘Starry Night’ influences

I find this wall pretty piercing and alluring in some ways – I wonder what the artist was trying to say with those eyes?

I’m a big fan of street art with trees in it so this shop front with hummingbirds was a favourite for me. Also love the topless (literally) mannequin out front.

Simple black and white fish with an underbite.

Great shading around this girls eyes and would have loved to see the artist paint this one

I’ve been known to paint before, and I always struggle with noses – so I can fully appreciate that the Black Block Crew seriously nailed the nose on this one.

This building is down in the plainer side of town, but it seems the street art has still managed to find its way there. Check out those feet – stellar work!

Street art doesn’t always have to be fancy, it just has to be cool. And how flippin’ cool is this dancing cloud?

There was still lots of simple stencil work hanging round Valparaiso, like this singer

Just to give you more of an idea of the streets, here’s the view from the bottom of the hill that my hostels was on. Love the colourful steps and further up there’s bathtubs with plants growing in them

Have you been to Valparaiso? Where have you seen the best street art on your travels?