Manchester is known for many things, but one thing visitors and locals alike are always surprised and delighted by is the fantastic array of street art we have adorning the sides of our buildings. One area that is particularly popular for artists in need of a canvas is the Northern Quarter, with official plots in the trendy neighbourhood being highly sought after. Street art culture in Manchester has become so huge that companies now hire street artists to create eye-catching promo on the walls of the city, from Netflix to Alton Towers, which still somehow feel mildly organic and oddly local. Manchester has been voted one of best cities for street art and here’s our guide to the best street art Manchester’s Northern Quarter has to offer.
1. Stevenson Square
Stevenson Square has be adorned with an ever-changing variety of street art over the years, from tributes to David Bowie and George Floyd, to seasonal patterns, but at the moment the square is aglow with bright and beautiful geometrics and squiggles, commissioned by Fred Aldous, the quirky homewares and craft shop on the square.
The abstract, joyful pattern crafted by Marcus Method covers the roadblocks, brick walls that line the middle of the square and any structures that would otherwise be eyesores, like electricity cupboards and signposts. It truly puts a smile on your face and pops off just as much in the rain as it does in the sun.
Stevenson Square, 37 Lever St, Manchester, M1 1LW.
2. Thomas Street pavement board
Just along from Stevenson Square is popular drinking and dining street Thomas Street. The newest street art addition here is another work by Marcus Method, along with Mul Draws, consisting of a similarly recognisable abstract pattern with walking hearts in front.
Again, it brings a breath of fresh air to the otherwise drab side of Thomas Street, opposite the bustling bars from which you can see the art. The board that it is sprayed onto has stood dormant on the pavement for years, waiting for something to be done about the construction of the building behind, and if it can’t be moved, the art adorning it is definitely the next best thing.
54 Thomas St, Manchester, M4 1EG.
3. Blue tit on Newton Street
This mural by Faunagraphic has become an icon of Manchester street art and has been around for a number of years now. To Mancs, it’s a landmark, something you can say “meet me at the bird mural” about and your mates would know exactly where to go. It’s also so big that you can see it peeping out from the corner of Newton Street from pretty far away, all the way up to Piccadilly Gardens, and it’s nice to see a familiar face in amongst the hustle and bustle of a weekend in the city.
It was actually a commissioned work for Converse in 2011, but has really stood the test of time having been adopted by the city. Faunagraphic, real name Sarah, is a real nature lover and this definitely comes through in her intricate, elegant style of art, which we’re so happy has stuck around in Manchester.
4. Car park birds
Speaking of birds, Mateus Bailon is responsible for one of Manchester’s best kept street art secrets. Bailon is Brazilian artist born in Santa Catarina, and his work explores narratives that seek to recall the connection between the human being and nature. His richly coloured, majestic depiction of tropical birds is massive and truly eye catching, but only if you’re coming down the right street from the right way. It’s cleverly positioned to face a backstreet car park, and is only really visible when walking towards town from Ancoats, on the stretch of Port Street. It’s really special to see with the skyline of the city centre in the background and reminds us what a contrasting yet beautiful city we have.
Cuba Cafe, 43 Port St, Manchester, M1 2EQ.
5. 22 Bees mural
We do seem to have bees everywhere in Manchester, and ever since they became a symbol for the working class, bees have gone through several life cycles of meaning in Manchester.
In the case of artist Qubek‘s mural, the bees represent each of the 22 victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, so of course, out of respect, we predict, and hope, that it’ll stay around for a long time. It’s only fitting that Qubek would be the artist to bring this heartfelt memorial to town, as he’s a Stockport native and is a gift to our city, representing the creativity Manchester has to offer.
84-86 Oldham St, Manchester, M4 1LE.
6. The Wall on Church Street
Having been in place since 2011, this mural on Church Street was created by Subism Collective from Derby, in collaboration with Red Bull. The mystical design of two women representing earth, wind, fire, and water evokes the tattoo style of this specific area, with tattoo studios peppered around the NQ. The mural can be seen when walking towards the Arndale Centre and is pretty striking and much easier to see than some of the others. It’s one of the longest standing pieces of street art in Manchester and is most definitely beloved.
27 Church St, Manchester, M4 1PE.
7. Enigma by Akse
We’ve possibly left the best til last, because Enigma on Stevenson Square was created by Manchester street art legend Akse. The piece depicts Manchester resident Ste Wing who, like Akse, has Vietnamese heritage, and was part of the 50 Windows of Creativity project showcasing the work of local venues and businesses. Akse just so happens to be the architect of some of Manchester’s most beloved street art, most of which were portraits of significant people, but have now been painted over or demolished, as is the nature of street art.
Some of his work in Manchester includes murals of David Bowie, George Floyd, Tony Wilson, Ian Curtis and the Marcus Rashford mural in Withington.
2 Little Lever Street, Manchester, M1 1FB.