The most populous city in Oregon, Portland is a hub of diverse communities and vibrant nature. Portland also has garnered a reputation as a vibrant scene for alternative artists and anti-establishment attitudes. The city is known for its fun food trucks and diverse organic food options, energized music scene, and its active brewery life. Less talked about is Portland’s public art, as Portland is home to many different artists who add creativity to the eclectic city. 

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History of Art in Portland

Portland has an extensive public art collection, many of which are focused on the beautification of the city to public statements about social issues, ranging from the Black Lives Matter movement to memorializing historical moments. The city has also toppled many old statues of historical figures, such as Theodore Roosevelt to Abraham Lincoln. 

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Here are WXLLSPACE artists in Portland giving some color to the gray city. 

Campo Graphic

Travis Fields, who goes by the moniker Campo Graphic, creates numerous large-scale murals throughout Portland. Working alongside local businesses and nonprofits, Fields combines realism and surrealism to create narratives about his subject matter. His work is always pushing boundaries, never afraid to try something new for a piece. 

Learn more: https://explore.wxllspace.com/artist/campo-graphic 

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They Drift 

Drawing inspiration from the vibrant, dynamic nature of graffiti, They Drift is a visual artist blending street art with classic portraiture. They Drift creates a contrast between the colorful graffiti background fixtures and the timeless elegance of classical masters. The artist often creates portraits of acclaimed creative figures from Salvador Dali and Basquiat to Anna May Wong and Tupac Shakur. 

Learn More: https://explore.wxllspace.com/artist/they-drift 

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Eyedrawp

The anonymous artist Eyedrawp uses bright, eye-catching colors and abstract round shapes to create silly characters and designs on walls. The artist’s work is reflective of smaller parts of human existence, often drawing on his experiences and observations, as well as documenting his adventures around the world. 

Learn More: https://explore.wxllspace.com/artist/eyedrawp 

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Ksra

KSRA is a muralist, sculpturist, and miniaturist who specializes in antique-inspired patterns and rusted objects. Their floral and fauna murals evoke symbols of being back in Grandma’s house, while their sculptures revitalize old Googie architecture through a new lens. 

Learn more: https://explore.wxllspace.com/artist/ksra 

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Portland’s extensive history with street art continues to thrive at the hands of WXLLSPACE artists. Evoking both antiquated and contemporary styles, artists of Portland keep the beautiful city streets as vibrant as its people.

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