Street Art Cities

The Boermarke in Crooswijk has been brightened up considerably thanks to a new mural by the Colombian artist Juan Barco. "I like to make great works of art."

The new mural was created thanks to a collaboration between Havensteder and the neighbourhood. District manager Ron Klove of the housing corporation got the ball rolling.
He explains: 'As neighborhood managers, we indicate every year what is needed to keep our neighborhood livable, whole, clean and safe. We also have a budget for that. To me, a work of art on the bare facade on the Boermarke seemed like an asset to the neighborhood.'
And Ron also knew exactly which artist he wanted to use for this: Juan Barco. The Colombian made a striking work of art in the Agniesebuurt last year.
Ron also knocked on the door of active neighborhood resident Els van Vliet. She was immediately enthusiastic about the idea and involved her neighbors. Ron says: ' Els showed the residents what was possible. And asked them what they would like.”
There was a peasant theme. As a kind of ode to the street names in this neighborhood. Artist Juan set to work energetically. In a few weeks he painted huge cow heads and a farmer on the facade of the Boermarke.
“Everyone who saw me work was very happy,” says Juan. 'I only got positive reactions.' And he himself also enjoyed working on this. "I like to make great works of art."