Image via Complex Original
Despite the cold and harsh weather, graffiti and street artists managed to turn out some impressive work in January. It seems like the contrast of old and new is a reoccurring trend in last month's murals. Some street artists mixed historical throwbacks with graffiti motifs while others used their talents to revamp the run-down spaces of our cities. From Icy and Sot's fiery work in an abandoned warehouse in New York to Fin DAC's delicate woman in a secret spot in LA, check out In These Streets: The Best Street Art From January 2014.
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10. Lek x Sowat x Philippe Baudelocque
Location: Paris
French artists Lek, Sowat, and Philipe Baudelocque came together for this piece for Art Azoi in Paris. Art Azoi is a company that promotes street art and murals, temporary or permanent. In the past, the organization has worked with other well known artists like Atlas, SETH and POPOF.
9. Os Gemeos
Location: West Palm Beach, Fla.
Street art twins Os Gemeos got up big in 2013, including a collaboration with Banksy for the anonymous stencil artist's "Better Out Than In" residency in New York. Now the Brazilian duo is back at it with this piece for Art Palm Beach. As always, their intriguing characters create a balance of mystery and imagination.
8. Yoon Hyup
Location: New York
Yoon Hyup never ceases to impress with his colorful and unique murals. As part of the Houston Project, which Rag & Bone created in order to keep their store front clean of tags and full of impressive street art, Hyup's mural interacts with the colorful neighborhood.
7. Olek
Location: New York
This unique, knitted piece was part of the LISA project (Little Italy Street Art) and includes quotes from Nelson Mandela. Even with its peaceful message, the crocheted work was stolen just days after it went up.
6. Space Invader
Location: Hong Kong
Space Invader has been on a rampage lately, and we're happy to see him invading globally. Right now you can find his works springing up all over Hong Kong, leaving familiar pixelated characters across the city.
5. Pichi and Avo
Location: Almería, Spain
This throwback to traditional sculpture is enhanced by the artists' contemporary take on classic art. Pichi and Avo created intense, colorful portraits that contrast with the traditional white busts of Greek gods.
4. Fin DAC
Location: Los Angeles
A gorgeous and powerful image, Fin DAC's first piece of 2014, titled Nadeshiko, is a Japanese-inspired portrait. This mural is part of the artist's "Hidden Beauty" series and resides in a secret location in Downtown LA.
3. Mauro Palotta
Location: Rome
Funny and powerful, this superhero version of Pope Francis is here to save the people, and artist Mauro Palotta stands firmly behind that. Palotta told NPR, ""I tried to make him into a divinity by depicting him like Marvel comics superheroes, who essentially are the modern metaphor for Greek mythology. Our pop icons are today's version of the ancient gods." Unfortunately the Italian police removed the wheatpaste almost immediately.
2. Icy and Sot
Location: New York
Icy and Sot, along with other New York-based street artists, took over an abandoned house in the East Village for Hanksy's secret show "Surplus Candy." The Iranian duo decided to create powerful and influential work throughout the space. Their piece Enjoy Coca-Cola (including real flames) certainly added a new dynamic to the space.
1. Maser
Location: Limerick City, Ireland
Definitely the most impressive gas station we've ever seen, Irish artist Maser made this amazing pop art installation called No.27—A Nod To Ed Ruscha, an homage to photographer Ed Ruscha's Twentysix Gasoline Stations. Number one on our list, Maser entirely re-imagined the architecture, color, and composition of a traditional gas station.