Rome is known all over the world for being a centre of ancient architecture and classic art; home to works created by Michelangelo, Botticelli and Caravaggio. But for many years it has also been a hub of eye-catching street art; a scene which was fully brought to the fore in 2015 with the introduction of Big City Life. 

What is Big City Life? Non-profit cultural institution 999Contemporary decided to establish the Big City Life project as a way of celebrating Rome’s modern art scene. The project is basically a large-scale open air museum, comprised of murals that were painted on buildings by various artists including ten international champions of street art. Every mural is supplemented by a plaque showing the name of the piece, the artist’s name, the date it was created, and the technique they used to do so.

How Was Big City Life Born? The project grew out of an existing street art scene in the Ostiense District. The works here were created to join two areas of Rome which were once in the industrial centre, and had become run down over the years; Testaccio and San Paolo.

Where is Rome’s Street Art? Big City Life art is located in several areas, one of which is the Tor Marancia District, which saw the creation of 22 murals in just two months. The project has had a fantastic effect on residents, who have been involved in additional efforts such as improving pathways and enhancing flowerbeds.

Via del Porto Fluviale is another must-see area for fans of street art. This is the location of Porto Fluviale Occupato, a former military barracks which developed from a squat to a fascinating centre of culture. This building is home to a mural known as “Rainbow of Faces” which was created by Italy’s answer to Banksy; Blu.

Many would argue that it is Ostiense that holds the top spot for Rome’s street art. In addition to a great number of thought-provoking murals, Ostiense boasts a number of noteworthy cultural institutions. These include the new University of Rome III, a private university that works with MIT in Boston, and the Rome headquarters of Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti (NABA) (New Academy of Fine Arts).

Another well-respected art centre in Rome is the ‘Garden City’ of Garbatella. This was first created in 1920, and was designed to emulate the works of British urban planner, Ebenezer Howard. It’s a curious, self-contained area which boasts some striking pieces of street art.

Who Painted the Big City Life Street Art? A number of eminent street artists were involved in the project, and now have recognised murals dotted around Rome;

Blu. The aforementioned Blu was one of the chief artists to create murals for the project. The Italian creative has been active since the late 90s, and in 2011 was listed as a producer of one of the world’s top 10 pieces of street art.

Vhils. Portuguese street artist Vhils was asked to be a part of the Big City Life project. Having once attended Byam Shaw School of Art, an independent art school in London, Vhils has developed a unique way of creating street art, by drilling through existing posters, paint, and plaster relief.

SatOne. Born in Venezuela, these days SatOne is based in Munich. Starting off as a graffiti artist, his art is reminiscent of abstract cubism; it’s bright, colourful, and certainly distinct.

Borondo. Borondo is a Spanish artist, known for his provocative art based on the human form. His works have been compared to classical paintings in their style, but their raw and jagged features give them a contemporary tone.

Seth. Also known as Julien Malland, Seth is a Parisian graffiti artist who refers to himself as Seth Globepainter. He’s adorned cities all over world in his commanding, colourful artwork which usually features multicultural people.

Tourists looking for a unique perspective of one of the world’s most ancient cities should consider taking a street art tour. While of course you’ll want to see the famous landmarks such as the Coliseum, Pantheon, and Sistine Chapel, a window into Rome’s contemporary culture is totally free thanks to initiatives like the Big City Life project.

By Fabio Barilari: award-winning architect, illustrator, and founder of C-Rome Tours, Art and Architecture Experiences in Rome. C-Rome specializes in unusual walks around lesser-known parts of the city, deeply enlightening walks in the historical centre, and classes in architectural illustration.