STRAAT: Museum of Street Art & Graffiti, Amsterdam

"La contemplación" (2018) by Entes

Getting away from Amsterdam's hectic city center, I found myself at NDSM Wharf—a laid-back industrial space turned artistic hub. Here, tucked into the calm of old shipyard vibes, stands the STRAAT Museum, an epic space dedicated solely to street art and graffiti.

NNDSM Wharf: Where Old-School Meets Cool

Botel, NDSM Wharf, Amsterdam

Getting to NDSM Wharf couldn't be easier—a short, chill ferry ride across the peaceful IJ River. Right as you step off the boat, you're met by the iconic Botel, a quirky floating hotel symbolizing the area's creative transformation from gritty docks to artistic haven.

On a grey November day, the concrete skies matched the industrial surroundings perfectly, but bursts of vibrant street art quickly turned the scene around. The mix of rugged industrial heritage with bold, colorful street art immediately set the tone for visiting the STRAAT Museum.

The Warehouse: Big Space, Bigger Art

Little human for scale if you can spot them :)

STRAAT Museum is at the heart of this artistic community, and it’s not just a gallery, it’s a dynamic space constantly evolving with fresh artwork. Everything is so big, tall, massive! I am not sure the photos do the size justice, but it really felt like stepping directly into a giant artist's playground, almost surreal in its sheer scale and creativity.

Inside STRAAT Museum: The tiny figures in the photo underscore the vastness of the space and artworks.

Great perspective from the top deck: visitors wandered like tiny figures among giant murals, each artwork adding to the museum's rapidly growing collection of nearly 200 pieces. Every time you visit, there's something new, keeping the museum lively and inspiring.

Walking through a maze of artworks

A Living Museum: STRAAT's Ever Evolving Collection

View of the inside of STRAAT Museum from the top deck

Inside STRAAT, the experience is monumental. The murals, crafted by artists such as Galo, Kayla Mahaffey, Carlos Ramirez and many more, dwarf visitors, not to diminish but to amplify the power of art and its capacity to inspire. The museum is a living entity, with every visit offering a fresh perspective, as the collection is in a constant state of flux, embodying the transient yet impactful nature of street art.

'The Big Ears Old School Dolls' by Sipros and Pure Evil's 'Marilyn Monroe'

The ever-growing collection offers a sort of panoramic view of street art's evolution and a glimpse of its vibrant pulse in the contemporary world​

‘Passage’ by Galo: A bustling street of emotions captured through his signature Gigioni characters. Reflecting his decade in Amsterdam as a street art pioneer, this piece invites you to find the face that matches your mood.

Photography: Street Art's Game of Scale

"Renovate" by Judith de Leeuw – A tribute to a woman's journey from abuse to empowerment, reflecting on women's evolving roles in society. - Luisa for scale.

As someone passionate about photography, STRAAT was like a playground of endless perspectives. Trying to capture these massive murals felt both challenging and exciting, almost like attempting to capture an ocean in a tiny frame. The viewing decks offered fantastic vantage points, transforming visitors into miniature figures exploring an enormous artistic world.

"Yin & Yang" (2020) by Carl Kenz – A multimedia truck installation, juxtaposing nature's warning and hope through striking environmental symbolism - Luisa for scale.

STRAAT: A Mural Metropolis

View from the top deck

STRAAT hosts some of the biggest names in the street art world, turning a simple warehouse into an immense showcase of creative energy. Art here isn't confined to the walls, it expands, redefining the space and inviting visitors to rethink their boundaries.

Walking away from STRAAT, I felt inspired and amazed by the depth and energy of street art. More than a museum visit, this felt like a genuine artistic adventure, highlighting how street art truly can be larger than life.

One half of STRAAT Museum

Discover the stories and artists behind the incredible artworks featured in this post and more at STRAAT Museum by visiting their collection database.

Thanks for reading,

Dazz

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