Thanks to annual street art festival Nuart, the Granite City has become one of the world’s top destinations for street art.
Alongside cities such as San Francisco, Rio de Janeiro and Sydney, the Financial Times ranked Aberdeen among the world’s top six locations for street art.
It’s thanks to Nuart Aberdeen, the city’s annual street art festival which first launched in 2017.
Organised by Aberdeen Inspired, in partnership with Aberdeen City Council, Nuart has attracted tens of thousands of visitors to the region, as well as dozens of internationally-acclaimed artists.
Bahia Shehab and Niels Shoe Meulman were among those taking part in the 2024 event, alongside returning talents such as Hera and KMG.
With more than 60 works now located around Aberdeen, from huge murals to playful figures hidden around the city, here are XX of the best Nuart Aberdeen murals from across the years.
1. Nuart Aberdeen 2021: KMG
Aberdeen-born artist KMG is well known for her character work, and her 2021 mural is no exception. Absolutely a hidden gem in the city centre, her large mural depicting black and white character Ken (plus mini Kens) is worth visiting if visiting Aberdeen shopping centre Union Square. The delightfully chaotic scene can be found on Palmerston Road and is sure to bring a smile to the face. | Brian Tallman
2. Nuart Aberdeen 2018: Ernest Zacharevic
Considering this mural was installed as part of a street art festival, artist Ernest Zacharevic’s background as a classically trained painter with a degree in fine art may come as a surprise. Born in Lithuania, Zacharevic’s mural of a child climbing the modern Union Plaza office building helps make the spot feel more human. A popular area for Nuart work, tucked just off Union Street, the Plaza has become home to many murals over the years. | Lauren Jack/The Scotsman
3. Nuart Aberdeen 2023: Manola Mesa
Manolo Mesa’s street art has been featured on walls around the world, from his home country of Spain to the likes of Poland, the US and even Algeria. After beginning his art career painting graffiti with his older brother, Francisco Mesa, in 2002, his works developed after studying at the University of Fine Arts in Seville. Mesa’s Aberdeen mural graces the walls of the Robert Gordon’s College Blackfriars Building and features ceramics. The artist uses his study of the objects to question the links between past and present, tradition and innovation, and abandonment and resistance. This work is on St Andrew Street, but can be spotted from Denburn Road. | Clarke Joss/clarkejossphotography.co.uk
4. Nuart Aberdeen 2024: Millo
Located on the side of Aberdeen Community Care Village, just around the corner from Fanakapan's 2021 design, is this 2024 mural by Millo. Featuring snippets from the city's past, such as the infamous burning of Aberdeen's trams, this work is unique to its new home. | Scotsman/National World