Street art encapsulates more than just your idea of a wall painting on the side of the road. It has been used by artists globally, regardless of borders and ethnicities, to bring forth a narrative that fights against social and political issues or to explore something deep within us.

Latin America is no stranger to the street movement. From Buenos Aires to small towns in Mexico, it has become a common form of expression used to communicate messages and make a difference one painting at a time.

Let’s take a look at four big names in the street art scene that most people should know about:

Bastardilla

Bastardilla is a famous street artist in Colombia that has quickly become a phenomenon all over the world. She’s done her best to create art under the guise of anonymity, especially in a world where everyone’s seeking to outshine others. Yet she knows just how to stand out by using sparkles to light up her art in the dreary hours of the night.

The most recurring themes in her art are about the struggles of Latin American women and the troubles of living in South America. Her mission that drives her to create such imaginative pieces of art is to get people to talk about socio-political issues and feminism more openly.

Martin Ron

One of the most famous South American artists is a man who goes by the name of Martin Ron. Although he was born in Argentina, his street art is known and praised the world over. His most famous painting that he finished within four days is a striking image of a man sitting with his dog while a giant sea turtle seems to have come flying out of the wall just above them.

His technique is what truly sets him apart from other street artists. Although most of his art doesn’t provide much social commentary, it’s a way for him to showcase his wild imagination and get people thinking. His most prominent works explore the themes of surrealism, merging the world of reality and fantasy in the most eye-catching way.

Lik Mi

Based in Bogota, Lik Mi, is an up and coming street artist who’s not afraid to explore the nuances of owning your sexuality and bringing taboo subjects to passersby’s attention.

She didn’t get her start as an artist and used to work for the system. Convinced that it was time for her to turn her life around, she resigned and decided to live with the Ticuna community in the Amazon for a while. That spontaneous trip inspired her to follow her own desires and become a street artist.

With her art, she seeks to understand how the female body has become a commodity for the world and is fascinated by how the mind, body and soul come together as a whole.

In closing, These artists are just some of many that are redefining how most people view art. Within the concept of art, a lot can be achieved and streets artists, far and wide, have done just that. They’ve taken to coloring the streets of their hometowns with messages and slogans that convey a history of pain and highlight issues that spark controversy.