New art mural ‘By the Canal’ joins the Brussels Street Art Trail

To mark the 70th anniversary of the Buda Bridge, a new fresco graces the urban wilderness on the outskirts of Brussels.

As part of the Border Buda project aimed at revitalising the industrial area, the monumental mural has symbolically been painted on a building at the intersection of Chaussée de Buda and Chaussée de Haren.

Adorning this symbolic location on the border of Haren and Vilvoorde is By the Canal by French artist Nadège Dauvergne. Known for her hatching technique that resembles pointillism, the work evokes the encounter between nature, water and the industrial landscape.

For this commission, she was inspired by the oeuvre of Belgian artist Jean-Baptiste Van Moer (1819-1884), known for his realist work detailing the canal and the districts of Brussels that disappeared during the vaulting of the Senne. His oil painting Magasin près du Moulin Saint-Michel, depicting the Brussels canal, served as a reference work for Dauvergne. It is part of the Brussels City Museum’s art collection.

Highlighting the power of urban art to build bridges between people and communities, Brussels mayor Philippe Close (PS) said: "With this mural, we are opening a new cultural gateway to Haren, a truly unique neighbourhood in our city."

Vilvoorde boasts a rich collection of murals in public spaces, accessible via its Street Art Cities app, added the municipality’s culture alderwoman Katrien Vaes. “We aim to complete at least two projects per year so that art becomes a permanent feature in the daily lives of our residents and visitors.”

Welcoming the canal-themed work, she said:  “What makes it even more special is that it takes place in Buda, a location that is not immediately obvious, but remains very popular... It not only beautifies the surrounding area, but also symbolises a place where industry meets water.”

Brussels’ Parcours Street Art consists of 150 bold contemporary frescoes dotted all over the region. Created by Belgian and international artists, it offers visitors an alternative way of discovering the capital.

Photos: ©Julescésure