As countries around the world enter lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, street artists everywhere are responding, bringing a dose of humor—and urgent messaging—to a weary public.
In Miami, Jules Muck painted a cautionary mural of Anna Nicole Smith in a face mask just a few blocks from where the Playboy model died. But in an email to Artnet News, Muck stressed that now was not the time for selfishness.
“The hoarding and excessive fear-mongering that came with the pandemic [feel] self-serving and greedy,” she said.
Other artists around the world made references to everything from Gollum from The Lord of the Rings to Uncle Sam and The Simpsons. There was even a nod to the unfortunately named Corona beer.
Because your time outdoors may be limited these days, we’ve gathered a selection of the very best street art and graffiti from around the world for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own living room.
Jules Muck, mural of Anna Nicole Smith in a face mask. Photo by Paul Lara, via Instagram.
Pøbel, Lovers, painted on March 10, 2020, in Bryne, Norway. Photo courtesy of the artist.
A Simpsons inspired work by Italian artist Nello Petruccii. Courtesy of the artist.
A coronavirus themed street art piece by Sean “Hula” Yoro in Miami. Photo courtesy of Kapu Collective.
A man rides next to the painting ‘I Want You To Stay Home’ by artist TV Boy in Barcelona, Spain. Photo by Xavi Torrent/Getty Images.
Coronavirus street art by Circe One in Brooklyn’s Boerum Hill. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Coronavirus graffiti in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Artist S.F. paints a mural about the COVID-19 crisis on the roof of his building in Athens. Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images.
Coronavirus street art by Lionel Stanhope. Photo courtesy of the artist’s Facebook.
Coronavirus street art by #Catanianonsiferma (Catania does not stop) in Catania, Italy. Photo by Fabrizio Villa/Getty Images.
Graffiti reminding people to not leave their homes, using the popular social media hashtag #staythefuckhome, is seen during the coronavirus pandemic crisis on March 23, 2020 in Berlin, Germany. Photo by Adam Berry/Getty Images.
Coronavirus street art by Hijack. Photo courtesy of the artist on Facebook.
Coronavirus street art by Angus. Photo courtesy of the artist’s Facebook.
Coronavirus street art by Gnasher. Photo courtesy of the artist on Facebook.
Coronavirus street art by Anastasia Belyaeva. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Coronavirus street art in Los Angeles by Teachr1 with Malith Devaka, Chris Braas, Louis James Williams, Gregory Karpov, Hiske Hilgenga, Cristian Ciprian Brauen Droz, Daniel Duarte Ontiveros, Jamy Zord and Kirk A J Zimmerman. Photo courtesy of the artists.
A coronavirus street art work by Pony Wave depicting two people kissing while wearing face masks on Venice Beach. Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images.
A coronavirus street art poster by Italian urban artist Salvatore Benintende aka “TVBOY” depecting Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa wearing a protective facemask in Barcelona. Photo by Pau Barrena/AFP via Getty Images.
The coronavirus street art paintings of the RBS Crew collective, consisting of painters and graffiti artists, on the walls of Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar. Photo by Alaattin Dogru/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images.
Coronavirus street art in Germany. Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images.
Street art in Berlin featuring the Lord of the Rings character Gollum holding a roll of toilet paper, a shopping item hoarded by consumers during the coronavirus pandemic crisis. Photo by Adam Berry/Getty Images.
A pedestrian walks by a coronavirus street art piece showing a man wearing a protective mask in Shanghai, China. Photo by Yifan Ding/Getty Images.