Street art in Macau: whodathunk?

By Naomi Alyssa on 28 June, 2011 in Macau


The colonial history wasn’t all that surprised me in Macau.


Rather, I was taken back by all the street art I saw – something I’d missed in Hong Kong, and barely seen in Taiwan.



It was all over the city, sometimes out in the open…



…sometimes fading and hidden…


…but always a bit curious: not quite Western, though it was so similar, but again a byproduct of the cultural menagerie that seemed to make up these tiny islands.


Again, Macau surprised me: a Western influence taking root in an Eastern context, but the Eastern context spinning it on its head and making it its own. Macanese street art isn’t as bold or as noticeable as in cities like San Francisco, Buenos Aires, or London, but is still striking – in fact, above the bilingual signs, the colonial street, and strange cultural mixings, this was my favourite surprise from Macau.

And way more fun to enjoy than those stupid egg tarts.

Have you ever been surprised by the art scene in a certain country? Where are some of the most interesting places for street art that you’ve seen?

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7 Responses to Street art in Macau: whodathunk?

  1. Megan 28 June, 2011 at 19:41 #

    I’ve noticed a bit of street art/graffiti here in Xela – after spending a week in sanitised Antigua, that was definitely a surprise!

    Reply
    • na-o-mi 1 July, 2011 at 01:58 #

      South and Central America are places where I really want to learn more about the street art – I’ve heard a lot about it from a bunch of different cities and am dyingggggggg to see it for myself!!

      Reply
  2. Micamyx|Senyorita 3 July, 2011 at 12:19 #

    Haven’t seen that when I went to Macau last year, but that is quite interesting :D It reminds me of my photowalk in London and Birmingham early this year. There is also a part here in the Philippines where i saw some interesting doodles and they are artistically made. Sadly, it has something to do with our government that time and they were against it. The wall was repainted :|

    Hey, are you planning to visit the Philippines soon? Just in case, let me know :D

    Reply
    • na-o-mi 4 July, 2011 at 05:11 #

      Really? Where, in Manila? I actually am going to the Philippines soon…very soon!!

      Reply
  3. Jasmine 10 July, 2011 at 06:18 #

    One of my favorite parts about cities is the street art. I love the trench coat guy – cool shots :)

    Reply
  4. Ellie 17 July, 2011 at 01:01 #

    Fabulous pictures Naomi! You really found some hidden gems. Can’t wait to head to Macau…

    Reply

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