If you have ever traveled to some Mediterranean countries like Italy or Spain, and have strolled through the cities on a Sunday or weekdays between 1 to 4 pm, you have probably noticed that most stores are closed with their roller shutters down. With the roller shutters down, you often have no idea what shop is hiding behind those shutters until you stroll the streets again between 10 am to 1pm or 4 pm to 8 pm.
It will not surprise anyone that these roller shutters are targeted by graffiti street artists.
What surprised me on a recent visit to Sevilla (Spain) was the counter measure some shop and building owners took to avoid wild spraying of their shutters and walls.
They engaged with artists and had beautiful pictures painted on their roller shutters. Sometimes the pictures relate to the store’s business, sometimes they’re just nice images.
Mostly the graffiti artists/taggers leave the paintings on the roller shutters alone, but you’ll find some with tags over the paintings.
It was fun walking the streets looking for shutter art. Hope you enjoyed this virtual tour through Sevilla!