Fuengirola has recently added a new art project to its ever expanding list of reasons on why it’s worth visiting!
In October 2023, Fuengirola’s Mayor Ana Mula inaugurated the ‘Paseo de los Murales‘ in Fuengirola, a project designed to transform the El Boquetillo neighborhood into an open-air urban art museum, featuring twenty large decorative murals on building facades along La Paz and Valladolid streets (see location on map here).
These murals were created by nationally and internationally renowned artists, and one of them is currently nominated in the competition ‘best urban murals in the world‘, the artwork by Kato called The Magic of Dreams (see in my photos below). You can help the artist by adding your vote on this website.
I have only found out about the project from a Facebook group, unfortunately it wasn’t promoted too much in non-Spanish speaking media, which is completely understandable (given that we live in Spain!).
I found the acompanying booklet, which is only available in Spanish, and translated info about some of the artwork for you.
Here is a little virtual tour!
Murals of Fuengirola: Visual Tour
I took the information from the original booklet in Spanish.
Artist: Lalone, Work: The Grandma
‘This captivating wall painting presents a singular figure in the world of fishing, a yaya (grandmother) depicted performing various actions related to this ancient activity.
It is a song to memory and love, a reminder that stories of women deserve to be counted and celebrated, regardless of whether you still are among us or have become family legends.
This work is a legacy, an act of love, and a tribute to women strong ones who have left their mark in the life of the artist and in the world.’
Artist: Francisco Alarcón Pérez, Work: And You? What Boat are you from?
‘The Mediterranean Sea is the essence of the coastal town Malaga. It is culture, tradition, way of life and livelihood; that shape our way of being and thinking.
This mural is a scene depicting how the author lived as a child on the beaches and fishing ports of the city. The choice of topic has a great experiential and emotional component. The scene depicts work in a team, of the union of men. A fisherman is waiting in the boat, painted with a blueprint aesthetic geometric and rusty colors.
This mysterious figure symbolizes the guard of our tradition, watching over and preserving what we are and where we come from.’
(left) Artist: Lida Cao, Work: Adapt or…
‘The mural tells in subtle terms a story of adaptation. We meet a human being, from an early age, learning to live in an environment that apparently not your own, but overcomes it by adapting to it and turning it into a space where dreams have an indispensable part.
In its background is the idea and story of personal complexity, where each boy and girl overcome a negative situation thanks to their force of will and ability to rationalize.’
(right) Artist: Lida Cao, Work: Bioluminiscense
‘This work is intended to immerse the viewer in a fun marine world, full of fantasy and surrealism. The artist wanted people who come to see it to stand there and observe it for a long time, looking at the different characters and their dialogues.
The most technical section is a work with a color palette which is very alive and vibrant, playing with different finishes, with looser brush strokes and adding a lot of texture. The artist likes to mix all these techniques to create contrasts and make the work richer and funnier.’
Artist: Steve Camino, Work: Mediterranean Look
This was my personal favourite, simple yet very impactful!
‘With this work, the artist wanted to reflect that blue that dyes the sky, the light that illuminates the beaches with their fine sand, the Mediterranean Sea… for everyone who steps in has that special shine in their eyes. “May its colors remain engraved on our retina, the saltpeter impregnated on the skin and breeze caresses us delicately”.’
Artist: Nesui, Work: Look to the Past
‘Nesui continues this mural in the theme of the world of fishing and its importance to Fuengirola. Starting from that idea, the work slides through impressionism, and bases its strength in the dialogue of color with blues and oranges, cold tones and warm, reaching a balance and the harmony necessary to leave a resounding mural that will impact those who contemplate it.
The entire chromatic range surrounds a girl whose sunglasses reflects a traditional scene: ancient fishing art on the beaches Fuengirola.’
Artist: José Fernández Ríos, Work: Sea of Regattas
‘This mural is a hyperrealistic painting in which, as its name indicates, a sailing regatta is simulated in different murals.’
Artist: Kato, Work: The Magic of Dreams
‘This captivating mural transports you to a magical world where a girl, wrapped in a almost nocturnal sunset, holds a starfish that illuminates with its radiance.
The intended message convey the artist is that even in the most difficult moments dark, there is always a light that guide the way to our dreams. Far away on the horizon, the profile of the Sohail Castle is visible, one of the most symbolic representatives of the city. ‘
Artist: Lily Brick, Work: The Sea Brings a Storm
‘She, the networker, has spent the day sewing the fishing net on the port of Villa Blanca so that the fishermen can go out to the sea with the net like new.
Rest with that bad posture who has to sew so many hours. You feel your neck hurt, right where it always bothers you when the weather changes. Look at the heaven and realizes that the sea brings storm.’
Tiny Man and the Sea Creature
No, that’s not the name of the mural, that’s just the end of the post and a light hearted addition – my son in front of a whale.
This is on a small pedestrian street leading up to the Paseo de los Murales. Enough to say he was a big fan too, and part of the reason I didn’t have a chance to photograph them all =)
Thank you for reading!
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