Murals on walls near our home in Cuenca, Ecuador

One year ago today, in 2013, we received our Ecuadorian resident visa and became officially able to stay in Ecuador as long as we wish, albeit with certain travel restrictions.  I was thinking what I should write on this auspicious date.  I finally decided I would use this post to share some of the street art around Cuenca.

I have said for years that culture and art are common themes in this city.  One of the daily reminders of this is the array of murals found around the city.  A few are actually commissioned by the city, but most are “street art” or possibly even “graffiti.”  This is distinct from the kids with black spray paint tagging walls.  Unfortunately that happens too, but most taggers respect the true artist and do not deface their work.

So here are a few of the mural photographs I have collected of Cuenca over the past couple years.  This is less than half the murals I have images of, and I definitely have images of far less than half of those in the city, so consider this only a small sampling.

These murals are on the sides of bus stops

Some of the murals take on the form of cartoons

Others are artistic pieces

Even some businesses get in on the fun