Street life in Olhão

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Dario Silva isn’t a name that I knew until recently.  I’ve been seeing his handiwork around Olhão, in the Eastern Algarve, for a number of years, mostly on old and unloved buildings.  A prolific street artist, in 2009 he was forced to stop using spray paint.  The toxic fumes in the paint were damaging his liver.  But you can’t keep a good artist down.  “The street is my addiction”, he said.

In recovery, he turned to painting with a brush and water-based paints.  It’s a much slower medium but it enables him to continue to paint. His work might once have been regarded as vandalism, but now the commissions are coming in and even the local council have embraced him.  Many think that Olhão is a finer place for his intervention.

Vivenda Victoria is his best known work, in the main street of Olhão

Vivenda Victoria is his best known work

It’s virtually impossible to pass through Olhão without seeing Vivenda Victoria, in it’s abandoned state.  It sits on the E125, at the hub of the town’s shopping area.  Other works of art have started to mushroom in the most unlikely places, but you have to seek them out.

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I had thought to include the street artworks in a Monday walk, but they straggle around some of the town’s less desirable parts, and that is surely the point.  At times I felt a little intrusive, wandering with my camera through the back streets of Olhão.

I had intended to link this post to Thursday’s Special, which this week is themed ‘Abstract’.  By definition abstract means divorced from reality.  My images are rather a reflection of sad reality, but I would urge you to visit Suzanne’s wonderful post.  It might set you thinking.

Do you have a favourite of these?  Mine is still the boy with sad eyes.

131 comments

      1. Absolutely hon and thanks for the lovely wishes. It’s still hot here, so you can send over that drizzling weather anytime. 😆
        ♥

        Liked by 1 person

  3. I like the sad eyed boy to. What a talent, I can’t help wondering if the artist works on canvas as well, much as I love street art it seems a pity not to have more lasting work.

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  4. ti dirè che non sono particolarmente attratta dai murales, anche se talvolta sono piacevoli e fatti da mano di artista, ma spesso mi sembra che interrompano l’armonia del paesaggio rendendolo troppo surreale
    buongiorno cara, come sempre ottimo il tuo lavoro

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    1. I know what you mean, Ventis. Very often it’s not for me, but this is quite a run down town, neglected in places by the council, and his work has brought interest and life to the streets. Happy weekend, cara 🙂

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  5. The boy with sad eyes is wonderful! Vivenda Victoria is striking with its realistic faces and colorful backgrounds. I like the crazy fish behind the old man. I’m glad Silva stopped using spray paint.

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    1. Vivenda Victoria has been there for all of the 10 years we’ve been coming here, in that dilapidated state. It’s only in the last year or two that it’s been added to. 🙂

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  8. These are fascinating. I love street art. Some might call it graffiti but when it rises to this level of expertise I would definitely call it art. I’m impressed that the artist could do all that with a brush. I used to do spray paint art (on canvas) but had to give it up for the same reason). Since then I’ve taken photos but really want to get back to painting. This post inspires me.
    I really appreciate you linking to my challenge on Paula’s blog. Who knows – maybe next week you’ll find some abstract street art 🙂

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    1. Thanks, Suzanne 🙂 I thought that you still painted. I’m sure that with more time you’ll get back to it (I know- what time???) I don’t visit as often as I would like but your blog is full of artistry and interest.
      Yes… maybe 🙂

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      1. Glad you enjoy my blog – it is an eclectic mishmash really. As for painting – strangely just after reading your post a friend offered me the use of her studio while she’s not using it. Maybe I’ll do some painting soon after all

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Amazing art work and to do it in water based paints would be so slow in comparison to doing it with spray paint. He is a truly dedicated artist and I love how street art livens a place up. Thumbs up to the council allowing it…

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    1. I think it’s only the paint that’s holding some of those buildings together, Pauline! The council have jumped on the bandwagon because it’s to their advantage.

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  13. Am glad you navigated the back streets and captured these. Uncensored and even encouraged. How beneficial for all. Che seems to crop up unexpectedly everywhere. The sad eyes get my vote. 🎨

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  14. This is fabulous Jo, you have really captured the other side of Olhão which is just as amazing as the bits us tourists usually stroll along. I’ve also tried to show the hidden delights of Olhão not quite as dramatically as you but I hope this post shares a little bit more. See http://wp.me/p4kEHo-97

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    1. Hi Becky 🙂 Nice to meet you! Yes, it’s an ‘interesting’ place, with many aspects. Thanks a lot for this. I’ll pop over as soon as I’ve finished answering comments (and thanks for the follow)

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  15. Pingback: Roaming the back streets of Olhão | Hidden Delights of Olhão

  19. As I walk around the practical monotoned streets in the UK I can’t help thinking we are missing out on some aspect or awareness of life in this country, especially when I look at the amazing vibrant colours seen in your lovely photographs

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    1. It must be wonderful to express yourself this freely. 🙂 When he first started working the streets he sometimes had the police called out to move him on, Peter.

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