Best Street Art in BIRMINGHAM

Birmingham, and mainly the neighborhood of Digbeth, is so inundated with street art that it is almost impossible to pick the best murals. But see for yourself what Brum has to offer.

Birmingham

Birmingham, with its industrial past and its not always easy and smooth present, can be a challenging place for first-time visitors to appreciate. It’s by far not as glamorous as London, neither as cute as Bath, nor as hip as Bristol. Yet, as long as you’re not searching for a romantic honeymoon destination and you walk through Birmingham with open eyes and, most importantly, an open mind, there lies a lot of hidden beauty underneath that construction rubble and soot.

Just southeast of the city center lies Digbeth, my very favorite neighborhood in Birmingham. Although it is considered the city’s creative and cultural quarter, at first glance, it looks more like a gloomy, abandoned district. Its mix of old industrial buildings and new construction sites does not look very inviting. 

Many of Digbeth’s old warehouses, factories, and workshops have survived to this date. They were now converted into art schools, creative spaces, studios, and offices. This way, Digbeth became the heart of Birmingham’s arts and cultural renaissance. For me, as a huge urban art lover, Digbeth is a treasure trove of powerful graffiti and artful murals.

Food For Thought

Over the years, street art evolved basically from illegal tagging to a recognized art genre. On the one hand, it’s great as it opens opportunities for talented artists. On the other hand, a somewhat annoying commercialization has taken hold in this wake. Companies that want to be considered hip have jumped on the bandwagon and are commissioning graffiti artists to design more or less cool billboards instead of wild murals.

There are now agencies that businesses and private individuals can commission to design their walls. This has nothing to do with subversive street art anymore. This phenomenon is most noticeable, incidentally, in the former London underground district of Camden.

Yes, this commercialization is annoying. But at least here, the artists are paid reasonably for their work. Much worse is that people think they can simply appropriate street art for whatever they need. In doing so, the fact that someone created the work and now owns the copyright is completely disregarded. Yes, the work is in a public space, and we can enjoy it for free. We can even take a souvenir photo of it—although I’d like to add something to that below. What we are not allowed to do, however, is use the image for commercial purposes. At least not without the artist’s permission, and then, understandably, probably not for a fee.

It’s astonishing that this needs to be emphasized, because who among us would willingly work without pay? There you go.

Intellectual Property

It’s all the more shocking that even large corporations merrily ignore this and use street art for their own purposes without permission and without payment. There’s a term for this: intellectual property theft. Yes, theft.

Fortunately, not all artists are willing to put up with this. For example, the world-famous Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic recently stirred up the street art scene when he took legal action to protect his artistic work.

In January 2025, he sued the airline AirAsia for the unauthorized use of his mural Children on a Bicycle on one of its aircraft. Zacharevic originally created the mural in the Malaysian city of George Town in 2012. He first discovered the motif in an AirAsia advertising campaign in 2013 and demanded that the airline discontinue it. Despite this request, the image reappeared in an aircraft livery. After failed negotiations, Zacharevic filed a lawsuit to enforce his copyrights and draw attention to the importance of intellectual property for artists.

Zacharevic emphasizes that the commercial exploitation of street art without the consent of the artists is a recurring problem. He sees it as his responsibility to advocate for artists’ rights and highlight the need for fair compensation. I’ve introduced some of Zacharevic’s cool pieces in my posts Guide to GEORGE TOWN in PULAU PENANG as well as Best Street Art in VILNIUS.

By the way, if you’re looking for tips on how to avoid copyright infringement on your blog or social media, check out my post How to Avoid Copyright Infringement: Unexpected Traps.

Show Some Respect

And while we’re on the topic of respecting street artists and their work, I’d like to point the finger at some people who consider themselves great street art fans and enjoy having their picture taken with one of these magnificent works. Some of them show such disrespect that I have to address it here: It’s not cool but kinda barbaric when you casually prop a shoe sole against a mural just to look hip in your Instagram picture!
Guys, do you also do that in an art gallery, leaning not just your body but also your dirty shoe soles against the artwork? I honestly hope the answer is no!

City of Colours

The street art festival City of Colours was launched in Digbeth in 2014. Since then, it has become one of Great Britain’s leading urban art events that brings together over 100 local and international artists each year. Not only do they transform the industrial buildings and alleyways into a vast open-air gallery. The festival also features live music, DJs, breakdancing, workshops, food markets, and interactive art zones, making the event inclusive and community-driven.

The festival has played a key role in regenerating Digbeth. Many of the artworks remain on walls long after the festival ends.

Below, you find some of the best results.

The Artists

The sheer number of works in Digbeth is quite overwhelming. So overwhelming that sometimes it’s hard to tell where one mural ends and the next begins. Sometimes they’re practically stacked on top of each other, overlapping. And then there’s a signature or a tag in between. And often nothing at all.

Unfortunately, despite hours of research, partly with the help of reverse image searches, I haven’t been able to determine who created individual works. You can find all the artists whose murals can be clearly identified in the list below.

As always, I’d be more than grateful if you shared further info with me and my readers in the comment section at the end of this post!

N4T4

Now let’s start with Nathan Parker aka N4T4 who painted the striking portrait-style mural featuring the original lineup of the band Black Sabbath, namely, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, and, obviously, Ozzy Osbourne. It was actually commissioned by National Express and painted as part of the High‑Vis Festival to mark Black Sabbath’s 50th anniversary.

Over the years, his style has evolved from traditional graffiti tags to more polished, portrait-driven murals, showing deep technical skill and emotional depth. Today, N4T4 is known for naturalistic portraits of local figures and public personalities in large-scale formats.

In Digbeth, you will spot his work under railway arches, near Floodgate, Gibb, and Lower Trinity Streets. Notable murals include female faces at the Custard Factory and cosmic head motifs on Floodgate Street.

Gent 48

Joshua Billingham aka Gent 48 is a Birmingham-based graffiti writer and muralist who began tagging at age 13. Eventually, he graduated with a First-Class BA in Visual Communication from the Birmingham Institute of Art & Design and has been active as a street artist for around 15 years.

He works across many styles, from spray-painted murals to mixed-media pieces, but also digital illustration and gallery work. His motifs range from gritty’n’gruesome expressive graffiti to community-focused murals and even public and commercial commissions.

If you’re lucky, you might run into this artist, who is described as the undisputed king of graffiti in Birmingham on Floodgate Street and other Digbeth urban art hotspots on the job.

MISCFIT

MISCFIT is a Birmingham-based artist and graphic designer. He has been developing and refining his unique style since his 20s. His love of street art finally led him to pick up cans in 2019 after years of sticker art and paste-ups.

His now signature works are characterized by bold lines, patterns, and vibrant color palettes. This visually contrasts with his subjects, which tend to be sadness, entrapment, heartbreak, and anger.

Miscfit has exhibited at various venues and galleries in England. His approach to art is rooted in his curiosity and multidisciplinary background. Working primarily with spray paint, colored pencils, and stencils, he continually explores new media, processes, and techniques to evolve in every way.

Titlegraffiti

Titlegraffiti, sometimes spelled Title Graffiti or TitleMills, is a British street artist known for his large-scale, realistic graffiti murals. He often sprays monochrome portraits on walls, shutters, and festival grounds throughout England.

His portraits are hyperrealistic and often in black and white or muted tones.
He often pays tribute to music icons or community figures.

SNUB23

SNUB23 is a street art and stencil artist from the English seaside resort of Brighton. For over 23 years, he has combined vibrant, spray-painted murals with complex stencils and striking graphic design.

Inspired by comics, he transforms characters into robotic forms and geometric motifs. His distinctive block compositions make his works instantly recognizable.

Although he started in Brighton, his work has been exhibited in London, at Upfest in Bristol, the Cheltenham Paint Festival, and the ADEV Parade in Amsterdam.

In addition to outdoor murals, SNUB23 also creates smaller collectible pieces on metal, canvas, and plaques, as well as resin robot head figurines.

If you’re in Brighton or visiting London, keep an eye out for SNUB23’s work, as it can often be found in unexpected corners, walls, and buildings.

Inkie

Tom Bingle aka Inkie is originally from Bristol, however, today, he lives in London. Along with Banksy, 3D, and Nick Walker, he is one of the fathers of urban art in his hometown. Because of his style, which is based on Art Nouveau, you can quickly assign his works to him.

Inkie began working as part of the Crime Incorporated Crew in 1983, along with FLX and Joe Braun. With Banksy, he organized the Walls on Fire Event on the Site of the Future in the Bristol Center in 1998. In August 2011 and 2012, he was appointed organizer of the See No Evil Festival. He also took part in the annual Upfest in Bristol, the largest urban painting festival in Europe.

After working in the video game industry, including as head of creative design at Sega, Inkie now teaches art and graphic design to youngsters.

I introduced more murals by Inkie in my posts Best Street Art in BRISTOL – Part I: From Nelson Street to Stokes Croft, Best Street Art in BRISTOL – Part II: North Street, as well as Best Street Art in CHELTENHAM.

Pete  McKee

Born in 1966 and raised on a Sheffield council estate, Pete McKee draws inspiration from working-class life, childhood nostalgia, and comic books. His works often feature bold, cartoon-like characters, rendered with narrative charm.

Pete opened his own gallery in Sheffield in 2010. Nevertheless, he’s painted several striking large-scale murals. These paintings have become landmarks in Sheffield as he’s seen as a local hero. In fact, he supports charities like Teenage Cancer Trust and Sheffield Children’s Hospital with his art, which earned him an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University in 2018.

However, his creative activities extend beyond visual arts as he’s collaborated with musicians and brands including Arctic Monkeys, Oasis, and Paul Smith.

Justin Solà

Justin Solà is a street artist and illustrator who has made a name for himself, particularly in the Digbeth area.

Solà often paints large, hyperrealistic portraits of women in expressive colors. He creates atmospheric backgrounds that create mood and depth.

In addition to murals, Justin Solà also works in graphic design. He specializes in projects such as album covers, skateboards, club posters, and digital illustrations, often combining traditional and digital media.

Jim Vision

Jim Vision grew up in the Welsh town of Barry. However, on his creative journey, he anchored in Shoreditch in the early 2000s. Here, he found the perfect grounds to leave his thought-provoking marks dealing with political and environmental issues.

He often works together with other street artists. Also, he and his partner Matilda Tickner-Du founded EndoftheLine, a platform for commissioning and promoting urban art on a less commercializing level than, for instance, the Global Street Art agency.

Jim Vision has painted the walls in Amsterdam, Buenos Aires, Los Angeles, and Miami, to name just a few, as well as on airplanes. Yes, that’s correct: He’s also decorating airplanes.

I’ve introduced other murals by Jim Vision in my posts Best Street Art in CHELTENHAM as well as Best Street Art in LONDON – Part II: Shoreditch.

Itaewon aka MYL

Itaewon aka MYL is a street artist who combines abstract forms with emotional realism. Born in Great Britain and raised in South Korea, Itaewon attributes his signature abstract style to his formative years in Seoul. His artist name, Itaewon, is obviously a nod to Seoul’s district of the same name. However, he later completed formal training in the UK.

His works combine bold geometries and expressive colors with emotive, figurative imagery.
With his striking blend of abstract architecture and delicate realism, he creates a unique niche in street art.

Goldenboy 924

Street artists who protect their identities continue to contribute to mystical legends within the scene.

It’s not easy to find information about Goldenboy 924. Apparently, he’s rather secretive. You can hardly find anything online, not even on social media channels.

But apparently, Goldenboy 924 creates black-and-white portraits using paste-ups and stencil art. As part of City of Colors, he left behind an impressive double portrait on Hack Street.

Ziner

Ziner is known for combining classic lettering with realistic faces. His works are both technically challenging and aesthetically moving.

He participates in the High-Vis Festivals, which regularly redesign Digbeth’s open-plan wall spaces. Ziner has also participated in the festival City of Colours and often collaborates with other local artists, such as Gent48.

Broken Fingaz

Broken Fingaz is a renowned street art collective from the Israeli city of Haifa. Active since 2004, they have earned a worldwide reputation for their expressive, graphic murals.

The group consists of artists with backgrounds in graffiti, comic art, graphic design, and classical painting. The result is surrealist murals that blur the boundaries between pop art illustrations and urban graffiti with vibrant colors and striking contours. Their work contains bold and daring commentary on current topics such as mass media and cultural tensions.

Broken Fingaz’s murals can be found in cities across Europe, America, and Asia.
They have also exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide, thus transcending the boundaries between street art and fine art.

The crew has also been active in fashion and music videos and published their own illustrated magazine, Broken Fingaz Paper. Consequently, they are considered one of the most successful and influential street art groups in Israel.

PHILTH

Phil Blake aka PHILTH is a graphic designer turned multidisciplinary muralist.

His style straddles the line between sophisticated illustration and expressive street art. In fact, classic, lush floral motifs, often full of faded vintage hues, are his trademark.

As he frequently collaborates with fellow muralist N4T4, the two artists combine PHILTH’s floral backgrounds with N4T4’s patterned portraits. In this way, coherent, multi-layered wall pieces are created.

PHILTH has taken part in the street art festival Upfest in Bristol several times and took part in the famous exhibition 75 Walls in 75 Days.

I introduced more murals by PHILTH in my post Best Street Art in CHELTENHAM.

Void One

Void One is a British street artist deeply rooted in urban protest culture. His artistic style is characterized by futuristic, minimalist 3D lettering, mech and samurai motifs, and digital augmented reality elements.

What makes Void One special is his ability to merge classic graffiti culture with digital media and sociopolitical significance. His works question and provoke. He impressively demonstrates how art can become a reflection of social ills and, at the same time, a tool of resistance.

Back in 2018, Void One caused a stir with provocative murals in Birmingham. His work led to police interventions and cemented his reputation as an unconventional, socially critical artist. He goes far beyond conventional spray art. He was one of the first artists to work with DNA-sequenced paint.

Void One is also setting new standards in the field of augmented reality. Using interactive 4D graffiti, he creates hybrid artworks that can be experienced both physically and digitally.

One of his most significant works is the mural Death From A Dove, created in Birmingham in 2025. For this large-scale poster, he depicts a dove carrying a grenade. He thus denounces the trivializing language of war under the guise of peace.

He won the Posca Final Prize for his mural Future Synth at the 2021 Brink Street Art Festival.

Robbie Jeffcott

Robbie Jeffcott is a multidisciplinary artist from Birmingham. He works as a portrait painter, muralist, illustrator, and sculptor. His motifs combine realism, graffiti elements, and abstraction. He works layer upon layer, sometimes in over thirty coatings, to create vibrant, textured images.

Many of his works are large-scale and depict musical or cultural icons. For example, Jeffcott painted a mural of Ozzy Osbourne in Gibb Square at the Custard Factory, as well as another tribute to musician Mike Skinner. He declares he only paints people he admires.

In addition to murals, he shows his work in exhibitions, as illustrations, and in tattoo design. In 2021, Jeffcott was a nominee for SkyArts’ Artist of the Year.

Andrey Kravtsov aka Key Detail

Andrey Kravtsov aka KeyDetail, is a New York-based street artist known for his expressive, vibrant works.

With nearly two decades of experience, Kravtsov has created large-scale works worldwide.

His murals are bursting with rich hues, carefully layered patterns, and complex design elements.

He is valued for his thematic approach, capturing regional histories, enriching public spaces, and fostering a sense of community.

Graffitiforu

Graffitiforu is a dynamic UK-based street artist. He began painting early by volunteering at a graffiti shop, which sparked his interest in more intricate pieces.

Although he honed traditional graffiti, he quickly shifted toward more complex murals. This was acknowledged by official commissions.

Ever since, Graffitiforu has tackled everything from bedroom murals and shop shutters to large-scale murals. His most notable motifs include portraits of celebrities and cultural icons.

There’s More

Banksy

Does anyone need an explanation as to who Banksy is? In case you have sailed across the Atlantic without a signal for years or lived in a deep forest in the past few decades, here is a brief summary.

Banksy is the pseudonym of a street artist, political activist, and film director. Although he has been active since the 1990s, his real name and identity remain unconfirmed. He is popular with satirical and subversively stenciled murals in different sizes.

Banksy comes from Bristol and has made the city world-famous with his work. Here, he was active in the underground scene of artists and musicians. Banksy himself claims that he was inspired by the graffiti artist and founding member of the band Massive Attack 3D. Since then, his works have appeared on streets, walls, and bridges around the world.

Banksy’s documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. 

In 2018, one of his most famous pictures was auctioned and shortly afterward shredded itself. Banksy claimed to criticize the art market. Nevertheless, the work went to a new owner in 2021 for 13 times as much, namely 16 million pounds!

I introduced other iconic murals by Banksy in my post Best Street Art in BRISTOL – Part I: From Nelson Street to Stokes Croft.

Aashti Miller

Aashti Miller is a multidisciplinary architect, illustrator, and mural artist who combines structural precision with playful abundance in her work.
Born and raised in Mumbai, she studied architecture at Cornell University in Ithaca, USA.

Today, she works full-time at an architectural firm in New Haven and also runs her studio, MillerInk, which specializes in illustration and graphic design.

Aashti Miller describes her work as a symbiosis of structure and artistic freedom. Her paintings reflect a dialogue between a structured approach and emotional expression.

Forbes India 30 Under 30 honored her in the category of design in 2023.

On Instagram

To dig deeper into the subject and see more of the amazing art the above-featured artists have created, you can just check out their Instagram accounts:

How to Get Around

Obviously, you can easily explore Digbeth by walking. Nevertheless, Birmingham boasts a comprehensive public transport system, mainly consisting of buses, trams, and regional rail.
However, buses are the backbone of Birmingham’s public transport. A single journey typically costs up to 2.90 GBP, so the so-called nBus Day Ticket for 4.80 GBP is a great bargain as it allows unlimited travel for an entire day. However, if you’re using contactless payment, you’ll benefit from the Tap & Cap system, which automatically caps your daily spend at 4.80 GBP!

The tram network is separate from the buses and operates on a zone system. A one-zone day ticket costs 3.20 GBP. If you’re travelling across all zones, a day ticket is 6.70 GBP. Tram tickets can be purchased using the MyMetro app, at tram stop machines, or onboard using contactless. The Metro also supports the Swift travel card that works across bus, tram, and train services in the West Midlands, which offers automatic fare capping.

Map

This map should help you find the murals I’m introducing in my post.
Clicking on the slider symbol at the top left or the full-screen icon at the top right will display the whole map, including the legend.

Looking for urban art was only one of the awesome things I got to do during my visit to the exciting city of Birmingham. Check out the rest in my post What to See in BIRMINGHAM: A Peek Behind the Blinds of Britain’s Second-Largest City

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