Growing Up (9 Photos)
From the underwater quiet of a child holding her breath to a hopscotch path that ends in the unknown, these 9 artworks explore the emotional depths of childhood through public art. Painted across water towers, walls, and pavement in Argentina , France , Spain , Belgium , and beyond, they capture more than just young faces—they reflect the inner worlds children create when they dream, escape, protect, and imagine.
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1. La Magia de los Sueños – KATO | Fuengirola, Spain
A young girl kneels at the edge of the sea, gently cupping a glowing star in her hands. The painted sunset bathes the mural in golden light, reflecting off the water to create a dreamlike sense of wonder and possibility.
More by KATO!: 6 Cute Murals By KATO: Bringing Walls to Life
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2. Underwater Mural – Martin Ron | Miramar, Argentina
Painted across two sides of a water tower for Bienal Miramar, this hyperrealistic mural by Martin Ron captures two children immersed in blue depths. One side shows a girl swimming upward with outstretched arms and a look of calm determination. The other side shows a boy diving forward through water, his flowing behind him. Both sides use the tower’s cylindrical form to enhance the feeling of motion and immersion.
More!: 9 Martín Ron Murals That Redefine Urban Art
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3. A Swing in the Summer Light – ATTORREP (Antonino Perrotta) | Belsito, Italy
A girl swings into a painted mountain landscape, placed precisely on the wall of a crumbling house. The mural blends dream and decay, childhood movement and architectural stillness.
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4. The Hopscotch Leap – Seth Globepainter | Paris, France
In this emotional piece painted in La Butte aux Cailles , a real child stands at the edge of a hopscotch path that leads toward a mural of a painted girl leaping into a blank wall. The moment captures hesitation, imagination, and the unknown—blurring the line between reality and art.
More!: 33 Murals That Turn Walls Into Wonders: Seth’s Street Art Will Blow Your Mind
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5. Wish Maker – VYRUS | Calais, France
A profile view of a child blowing on a dandelion transforms into a surreal landscape of clouds and sea at sunset. The mural is calm, glowing, and filled with layered visual metaphor.
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6. Band-Aid Girl
This monochrome mural depicts a small child kneeling to place band-aids over cracks in the street. A soft but powerful gesture of repair and tenderness in a broken world.
7. Joy in Color – Rosalie de Graaf | Zwolle, Netherlands
Four children beam with laughter, their faces covered in paint, surrounded by colorful butterflies and nature. An explosion of energy, connection, and summer joy.
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8. Jade and Moggy Cat – Nina Valkhoff | Ghent, Belgium
A quiet, beautiful mural of a child embracing a black cat. Stylized leaves, aquatic tones, and floating fish make this a peaceful portrait of companionship and quiet magic.
More!: Enchanting Street Art by Nina Valkhoff: Celebrating Wildlife and Nature on Urban Walls
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9. Periscope — Seth in Shanghai, China
In a clever use of existing piping, a small painted child crouches and peers through a pipe formation like a submarine periscope. The art blends seamlessly into the real structure, turning utilities into imagination. More by Seth!: 34 Murals That Turn Walls Into Wonders: Seth’s Street Art Will Blow Your Mind
🔗 Follow Seth Globepainter on Instagram
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