Ephemeral street art

© T. Joly
During the lockdown, graffiti artists invaded new spaces to express their talent. Many of these works may disappear with the return to normalcy.

The lockdown did not only make unhappy people. As streets were more deserted than usual during the night and police patrols more easily spotted in the absence of traffic, graffiti artists have been able to live their passion to the fullest.
Especially since roller shutters of stores closed for several weeks were for them like blank canvases waiting to host works by artists.



© T.Joly
 Open-air museums
Wildstyle, bubble, block or old school calligraphy, abstract or realistic graffiti, stencils works, cartoons, characters, animals, geometric figures,… All styles of street art are represented and some streets have become like open-air museums only visited by a few pedestrians. This is particularly true in the working-class neighbourhoods of the north and east of Paris where the abundance of these colourful works changes the aspect of the urban landscape.


© T.Joly
 Uncertain future
If you are a street art lover and want to see as many of them as possible you will have to hurry to wander around the streets of Paris as soon as the lockdown is over. Many of these works are indeed in danger of disappearing with the return to normalcy and the reopening of stores because some owners will probably erase them. However, those made on roller shutters of bars and restaurants will still be visible for at least few more weeks.


© T.Joly


© T.Joly


© T.Joly


© T.Joly


© T.Joly


© T.Joly


© T.Joly

May 07, 2020
Thierry Joly