Two Spanish murals, one in Ondárroa in the Basque Country titled Parliament Sabotage and another in Fene, Galicia titled zero, earned prestigious recognition from the Street Art Cities awards. They secured top honors in the Impact and World’s Best Mural categories, respectively. Since its beginnings in 2016 as a simple effort to map graffiti and online murals, the urban art community has grown into a global platform that selects and celebrates the most innovative wall works each year, earning a reputation for highlighting premier street art around the world.
Award-winning murals
The mural named zero, selected as the best of 2023, debuted at the opening edition of the Perla Mural Festival in Fene, located in A Coruña, Galicia, during August 2023. Painted on the facade of a nine-story building, it stands as one of the most remarkable vertical mural works, attracting media attention and public curiosity about the artist’s creative vision. The piece blends with the architecture, shaping the silhouette of a cellist performing a soft, immersive tune, a visual tribute to the Perla venue’s cultural significance and its legacy as a once iconic cultural hub in the region.
Throughout the mural, music-inspired elements are woven into the scene, featuring instruments, musical sheets, and references to the city’s musical heritage within Galicia. These elements celebrate the enduring relationship between public art and regional culture, inviting viewers to explore the soundscape that accompanies the image.
The work Parliament Sabotage in Ondárroa, executed under the Street Art Cities banner, received recognition in the Impact category. It uses color palettes reminiscent of the Basque Country’s visual language and incorporates historical photographs to reveal a story about community, resilience, and the role of art as a catalyst for dialogue within coastal towns.
Mural of the Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi nominated
The piece reproductive, placed within the Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi in Barcelona, was also in contention for the 2023 Innovation category, arriving on the scene six months after its first public appearance. The painting is situated behind the altar and depicts a woman cradling a child. The basilica’s archivist and curator, Jordi Sacasas, notes that the work supports multiple interpretations, including themes tied to the Mediterranean refugee experience and the sacred iconography of the Virgin. The archivist emphasizes that the project reflects Christian values while promoting an open, inclusive community at Pi.