On the Scene Athens: Locals Talk About Current Trends in Their City

No one can avoid street art anymore - whether it’s bands or brands, they all work with street artists to promote themselves. As someone who has been spraying graffiti since I was a kid, I think it’s great. I show what’s hot in terms of street art and other underground art in Greece and the rest of the world in my gallery Delirium Athens. 

The gallery is located in the Neos Kosmos district, a neighborhood that is still something of an insider tip. Here, as in other parts of Athens, it feels a bit like Berlin in the nineties – there is an inspiring spirit of optimism. Together with the relatively low prices and great weather, this mood attracts artists and creatives from all over the world to the city. The current euphoria is also reflected in the graffiti art on the walls, which can be admired everywhere, especially on the many empty houses.  

In addition to art lovers, car enthusiasts will also be happy in Neos Kosmos. There are loads of cool old cars to be found here – from the sporty Mustang and the round Beetle to the elegant Jaguar. No wonder: The neighborhood used to be called Garazoupoli (garage town) because there were so many car repair shops here. 

If you want to get an idea of Athens’ diverse street art scene, you should roam the Psiri and Metaxourgio districts as well as Neos Kosmos and always keep your eyes open. There is so much to discover – from political art and witty graffiti to murals that are simply beautiful.

Demitri Krah, artist name The Krah, grew up in Athens, where he was one of the most important graffiti artists of the nineties. He later moved to London, where he lived for 20 years. His art has been exhibited in galleries in Europe, the USA, and Japan and can be found at the Victoria and Albert Museum, among other collections. Demitri has been back in Athens since 2021, where he founded the Delirium Athens gallery.