Street Art Guide in and near Maginhawa

Maginhawa Street in Quezon City is popularly known as an “Eat Street” because of the number of restaurants in the area. Recently, I’ve noticed a lot of new street art and murals around the neighborhood made by local artists who live in the area. Some serve as decorative elements adorning gates or walls outside food parks, restos, or other business establishments.

Others are relatively new and popped up only during the pandemic when many artists were stuck at home. At a time when visits to museums and art galleries are still restricted, these colorful pieces make art more accessible to the public, spread messages of positivity, make statements, or bring issues to the public arena.

I thought I’d share this street art guide for those who want to do a DIY street art tour or mural-hunting while going around. The Maginhawa neighborhood and nearby streets are ideal for photo walks in between food-tripping or buying food for take-out. For those looking for something different to do, hunting for specific artwork or murals could make a fun urban cycling tour.

Here are some of the interesting art pieces you can spot as of July 2021.

Kindness Matters

Mural outside Gourmet Gypsy, a former art cafe, co-working space, and open hand school for special needs that was converted into a specialty grocery store. Artist: A.G. Saño. Gourmet Gypsy, 28 Maginhawa Street, Diliman, Quezon City

Pinoy Superheroes as Frontliners

Residential condominium featuring two large murals of Filipino superheroes Darna and Captain Barbel depicted as health frontliners. Artist: A.G. Saño and Art Attack. 116 Maginhawa Street (across BDO), Diliman, Quezon City

READ MORE: LOOK: Inspiring coronavirus street art around the world

Mahal Kong Pilipinas

A sociopolitical statement piece along a wall outside a residential compound. Artist: Archie Oclos. Location: Maginhawa Street (across Grill Queen and near Provenciano), Diliman, Quezon City

Built Cycles

There are a couple of cool murals on the grills outside Built Cycles, a new bicycle shop along Kalayaan Avenue including an Eagle by Archie Oclos and a monkey by Egg Fiasco. You can only spot the monkey when the shop is closed as the grill covers the main entrance.

Location: Built Cycles, 74 Kalayaan Avenue

Pagkilos

Artist: Archie Oclos. Location: Magiting St. corner Maginhawa St., Teachers Village, Quezon City (across MiniStop Maginhawa)

Hear them Pray

Artist: Archie Oclos. Location: College of Fine Arts, UP Diliman, E. Jacinto St., Quezon City.

Suong Sulong

Artist: Archie Oclos. Location: Zuzuarreggi Street, Old Balara, Quezon City

Sagul Malingap Food Park

Mural outside Sagul Food Park which showcases, food, beer, and art. Location: 43 Malingap Street, Diliman, Quezon City.

Z Compound

Respeto + Friends not Food (Indulge Vegan Pizzeria). Z Compound. 33A Malingap Street, Diliman, Quezon City. 

Uno Cinquenta Food Park

Location: 150 Maginhawa Street, Diliman, Quezon City

Likha Diwa

Location: Likha Diwa Vegan Restaurant. 1 Lt. J. Francisco, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila

UP Diliman College of Fine Arts

Location: UP Diliman, College of Fine Arts

Katipunan Avenue

One of the best places in the area to appreciate urban street art and graffiti near enough Maginhawa is the stretch of UP Diliman along Katipunan Avenue across the road from UP Town Center.

This wall always has loads of street art, graffiti, and murals including some from well-known street artists like Egg Fiasco, Distort Monsters, and more. It’s also common to find political-themed murals based on current events and protest art.

The artwork here changes very quickly and sometimes good ones get vandalized by other people, so you might not spot the same artwork.

If you’re a fan of the South Korean pop group BTS, this stretch might be of interest to you.

As of July 2021, some of the newest artwork here include several BTS-themed murals by artist Niakie Meow, celebrating Suga, Butter, BTS Festa, and ARMY.

While most car-owners might not even notice these art pieces as they drive by, I think they add a touch of beauty and character to the city. You tend to notice and appreciate things like this more when you go around by bike. Happy street art hunting!