Out in the open | murals

With the project 'Out in the Open' KIRK Gallery has begun a long series of large-scale murals created by highly esteemed urban artists.
Launched in 2014 the project aims to bring the art out of the gallery and into the streets, adding beautiful art to the lives of all citizens and not just to the few visiting the gallery. To get art "out in the open", where as many as possible can get an experience of what it means to live with art on a daily basis. To break away from a museum setting and have street art of the highest caliber more accessible to the public.

This is why ‘Out in the Open’ is a nonprofit project, with the purpose to give something back to the city.

With the murals the residents are encouraged to take part in the society around them from an artistic point of view.

They will experience a cohesion and a unique story about people, art and culture where it is crucial for the mural painters to tell something about the area where the murals are located.

Presse

Street Art United States

National Geographic

On National Geographic you'll now also be able to follow Lene Kirk on her bicycle with a drone on her tail riding from one mural to another, after filming the murals of 'Out in the Open' with the American TV channel for the last year.

Trailer >>

Street Art Walks

We also make guided tours to see the murals in Aalborg. Here we will go for a walk to see and talk about selected murals. You will get some of the funny anecdotes from when the artists were here, and off course get the opportunity to ask questions along the way.

If this sounds interesting to you, you are always welcome to contact us and get an offer.

We are looking forward to going on a street art walk with you.

WALK ON YOUR OWN - STREET ART WALK

Now you can simultaneously explore Aalborg's fantastic street art scene at your own pace with this self-guided tour, developed by KIRK Gallery and OpdagDanmark.

When you buy this official tour from KIRK Gallery, you are also supporting the development of new street art works in Aalborg.

gavlmalerier 2026

ADNATE | ‘MANY MASKS OF DIFFERENT FACES’

For many years, ADNATE has been recognized as one of the world's leading artists in hyper-realistic mural painting. In recognition of his significant contribution to contemporary art, a hotel in Perth, Australia, has been named after him, featuring a monumental 25 floor mural created by the artist.

It took him just four days to complete the mural in Aalborg, making his first large-scale mural in Denmark.

About the mural he tells the following:

”Throughout my travels, I have sought to paint the stories of Indigenous peoples and communities around the world, discovering that every culture carries its own understanding of identity.

This mural continues that journey. Is she hiding behind the mask, or revealing herself?

The answer is left to the viewer.

Inspired by traditions of Denmark, the work reflects storytelling and the many faces we wear throughout our lives.

Big thanks to Loxam Aalborg, PPG, Kompas Hotel Aalborg og Montana Cans.

Photos: Fleron Fotografi

Nyhavnsgade / Østre Havnegade, Aalborg

SUPER A | ‘UNFOLD’

The red line in the work of Stefan Thelen, also known as Super A, is contradiction.

His work explores the tension of two worlds. Worlds that collide, complement, or strengthen one another.

Depending on the story he wants to tell, Super A adopts different visual styles to translate these contrasts.

Alongside his signature Trapped series, in which cartoon characters appear wrapped around their realistic counterparts like a second skin, he also works in a collage-inspired style that combines contrasting elements into layered visual narratives.

At first glance, a work by Super A often appears to depict a single subject. In this case a butterfly representing transformation and freedom with it’s vibrant presence and light flight. However, a closer look reveals multiple layers, symbols, and hidden elements.

Through these visual layers, Super A tells his stories and invites the viewer into his world. For this mural, the goal was to create a visual expression in which the green areas along the bridge and the people of the city merge into a single motif, symbolizing the connection between people, the town, and nature. The metaphors found in the fairy tales of H.C. Andersen inspired this mural in Nørresundby, Denmark, and are woven throughout the composition. The Little Match Girl symbolizes the contrast between the lack of human connection and the world of social media, reinforced by the contrast between cold and warm light. The Ugly Duckling and the swan; The Conceited Apple Branch appears opposite a dandelion and a dahlia; The real nightingale faces the mechanical nightingale, both standing on a set of balancing scales, emphasizing the tension and harmony between the two worlds. The two cartoon characters from Thumbelina stand on a bridge connecting the two wings of the composition. These elements literally symbolize balance and the bridging of opposing worlds, just as the bridge behind the mural physically connects Aalborg and Nørresundby. In doing so, the bridge becomes a powerful metaphor for finding balance between contrasting forces.

Big thanks to Solsidens Udviklings Alliance, Loxam, PPG og Phønix Hotel

Fotos | Fleron Fotografi

Østerbrogade 52, Nørresundby