Archie MontroseEvery day, I lace up my sneakers and set out to hit my 10,000 steps, but I didn’t expect to stumble upon a treasure trove of public art scattered throughout the streets of Vancouver.
As I walked, vibrant murals and thought-provoking sculptures caught my eye, transforming my daily routine into an artistic adventure. Join me as I share my must-see installations that showcase the city’s creative flair.
Trust me, you won’t want to miss these incredible pieces, which make every step through the city feel like a journey through an open-air gallery!
1. Monument for East Vancouver
Media credit: eastvanpaint
Website: https://covapp.vancouver.ca/PublicArtRegistry/ArtworkDetail.aspx?ArtworkId=441
Address: Northwest corner of Clark Drive at East 6th Avenue
Contact details: +16048737000
East Van Cross, more formally known as Monument for East Vancouver, is an incredible piece of art that stands tall at 57 feet. Created by Ken Lum, it’s a glowing symbol of the rich immigrant history and working-class roots that define East Vancouver.
Ken Lum drew inspiration from a graffiti symbol circling East Van since the 1940s. Officially unveiled in 2010, this striking installation is made from concrete, steel, aluminum, and LED lights.
What’s even more special about the East Van Cross is its backstory. It has roots in the Catholic heritage of the early immigrant communities—think Italians, Greeks, and Eastern Europeans—who helped shape this area.
But it’s become more than just a nod to that history. It’s a symbol that speaks to everyone in the community, a beacon that connects past and present residents.
Pro tip:
Try capturing the monument at dusk when its LED lights illuminate against the twilight sky. Position yourself slightly below it on Clark Drive to frame it against the backdrop of downtown Vancouver.
2. A-maze-ing Laughter
Media credit: dlharre
Website: https://www.vancouverbiennale.com/artworks/a-maze-ing-laughter/
Address: Morton Park, corner of Davie Street and Denman Street
Contact details: +16048737000
Operating hours: 24.7
A-maze-ing laughter is fresh air from English Bay in Morton Park. Fourteen bronze figures are about 259 cm tall and weighing over 250 kg. They are wild, exaggerated sculptures by a Chinese artist named Yue Minjun.
If you look closely, you’ll notice that their mouths are wide open, and their eyes are closed as if they’re caught in a moment of pure, hysterical laughter. It’s hard not to grin when you see them!
They’re stylized self-portraits of Yue, and this theme of laughter has been part of his art since the late ’80s. It officially became part of the city in 2012, thanks to Chip and Shannon Wilson, who donated them through their family foundation.
The Cultural Revolution influenced Yue Minjun’s background, and his work often weaves humor into critiques of social and political issues. Sometimes, it masks all sorts of pain or confusion. It’s like a reminder that joy and sorrow can coexist.
Pro tip:
Position yourself low to the ground among the figures. This perspective allows you to frame the towering sculptures against Vancouver’s skyline or ocean backdrop, creating a whimsical effect emphasizing their size and playful nature.
3. Digital Orca
Media credit: seaside_signs
Address: Vancouver Convention Centre West Building, 1055 Canada Place
Contact details: +16046898232
Digital Orca is by Canadian artist Douglas Coupland. It’s a unique take on the classic killer whale. The orca is a big symbol of the West Coast, but Coupland gives it a modern twist that fits into Vancouver’s vibe.
Near the Vancouver Convention Centre, you’ll see this massive sculpture over 25 feet tall and made of black and white cubes. It almost looks pixelated, like something you’d see in a video game, which makes it so fascinating.
When you get up close, you can appreciate how it’s built—a sturdy steel frame covered in powder-coated aluminum cubes. Coupland designed it in 2009, and it’s become a great representation of the clash and blend between nature and modern technology.
What I love about Digital Orca is that it’s not just about how it looks; it’s also a meaningful commentary on Vancouver. It reflects our maritime roots while also nodding to the fast-paced life we’re all caught up in today.
Pro tip:
To capture a unique photo, try positioning yourself low to the ground with a wide-angle lens to emphasize the scale of Digital Orca against the city skyline. This perspective can create an impressive visual impact, highlighting the sculpture and surroundings.
4. Giants on Granville Island
Media credit: granville_island
Address: Ocean Concrete, 1415 Johnston Street, Granville Island
Giants on Granville Island consist of six massive silos that used to be just gray, drab structures. They were completely brought to life by the Brazilian twin artists OSGEMEOS, who turned them into these colorful, larger-than-life characters.
Each of these silos stands a whopping 70 feet tall, and together, they cover an incredible 23,500 square feet! This vibrant public art installation is part of the Vancouver Biennale’s Open Air Museum project.
They transformed these industrial giants back in 2014, and it took around 1,400 cans of spray paint to get there—not to mention the community funding of about $180,000 made it possible. That’s a serious commitment to art!
The installation isn’t just there to look pretty; it’s about creating a dialogue between the art and the people. It is a reminder of Granville Island’s industrial past, which was once bustling with sawmills and factories, and its rebirth as a lively arts district.
Pro tip:
Consider capturing a unique photo by positioning yourself at the base of one of the silos during sunset. The golden hour light will illuminate the vibrant colors of the murals beautifully, creating a striking contrast against the deepening blue sky.
5. Vancouver Mural Festival
Media credit: vanmuralfest
Website: http://vanmuralfest.ca/
Address: 2410 Columbia St, Vancouver, BC V5Y 3E6, Canada
Operating hours: 10 AM–5 PM
Since 2016, the Vancouver Mural Festival has transformed the city into an amazing outdoor gallery. As you walk through the streets of East Vancouver, you’ll see vibrant murals bursting with color and creativity everywhere you look.
If you’re curious about all the murals, there’s this awesome app for the festival that you can use to explore the neighborhoods. It makes the whole thing feel like a treasure hunt as you discover these hidden gems painted by talented artists from all over.
If you ever get a chance, head to East Vancouver, especially around Main Street and False Creek Flats. You can either stroll around alone or join one organized walking tour every Saturday.
It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the artistry. Oh, and if you’re planning to check it out, try to go between late June and mid-August—this is when they unveil many new murals.
Pro tip:
Try capturing images of the murals during golden hour—just before sunset—when the warm light enhances the artwork’s colors and casts beautiful shadows.
6. Voxel Bridge
Media credit: jasonthorne_rpp
Website: https://www.vancouverbiennale.com/artworks/voxel-bridge/
Address: Underside of Cambie Street Bridge, south side
Voxel Bridge is a mural by Colombian artist Jessica Angel. It’s a massive artwork stretching over 19,000 square feet that makes you feel like you’re stepping into another world.
What’s super cool about this mural is its use of augmented reality! If you download the Vancouver Biennale app, you’ll see 20 interactive animations that help you learn about the Kusama network and decentralized blockchain experimentation.
You’ll see it at first glance and think it resembles a giant circuit board wrapping around the walkway and the bridge’s supporting columns. But then, once you activate the app, it’s like the whole thing comes to life right before your eyes!
Jessica Angel developed this project over three years. She wanted to make the complex blockchain world understandable and accessible by incorporating real-time blockchain data that enhances what you see.
Pro tip:
Stand directly beneath one of the bridge’s arches and use your phone to scan one of the AR markers; this will allow you to capture both the vibrant mural and the digital animations that come alive in your photo.
7. The Drop
Media credit: alicja87
Website: http://www.vancouverconventioncentre.com/about-us/art-project/the-drop/
Address: Vancouver Convention Centre Bon Voyage Plaza, 1055 Canada Place
Contact details: +16046898232
Operating hours: 24/7
The Drop sculpture at the cruise ship terminal in Vancouver is a pretty cool sight and captures what the city is all about—rain! Standing at a whopping 65 feet tall, it looks like a giant raindrop frozen in time, just about to hit the ground.
It was created by a group of talented artists from Berlin called Inges Idee, who built it back in 2009 as part of the Vancouver Convention Centre Art Project. It’s made with a steel core layered in Styrofoam and then coated in bright blue polyurethane.
They took inspiration from the Convention Centre’s architecture and, of course, from Vancouver’s stunning natural environment. This city is practically surrounded by water and mountains, so it makes sense that they wanted to reflect that connection.
Fun fact: We have over 162 rainy days each year! This piece speaks to that—it’s like a love letter to nature’s power and reminds us of our relationship with water.
Pro tip:
Try capturing The Drop during sunset when the sky reflects vibrant colors against its blue surface. Position yourself slightly below eye level on the seawall; this angle will allow you to frame the sculpture and the stunning natural landscape behind it.
8. Inukshuk at English Bay
Media credit: unatal_paloma
Address: False Creek Seawall, near Beach Avenue and Bidwell Street
Contact details: +16048737000
Operating hours: 24/7
Inuit artist Alvin Kanak designed the Inukshuk at English Bay. Standing an impressive 6 meters tall and weighing around 31,500 kilograms, this granite structure immediately catches your eye. It’s a real symbol of friendship with a beautiful story.
It resembles a human figure with arms outstretched, almost welcoming you. The Government of the Northwest Territories originally commissioned it for Expo 86, and after that, it was gifted to Vancouver in 1987.
Traditionally, the Inuit made these stone structures, called inuksuit, to guide travelers across vast and sometimes barren landscapes. They represented fishing spots, hunting grounds, or safe paths.
So, when you look at this sculpture, it’s not just a modern piece of art; it’s a nod to a rich heritage. The plaque at its base symbolizes northern hospitality and friendship, which ties together old traditions with our contemporary urban life.
Pro tip:
Try capturing the Inukshuk during sunset; position yourself so that the warm colors of the sky frame the statue against the backdrop of the water. This highlights its grandeur and creates a magical moment.
9. Stanley Park Totem Poles
Media credit: xli020
Website: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/totems-and-first-nations-art.aspx
Address: Brockton Point, Stanley Park
Contact details: +16048737000
Operating hours: 6 AM–10 PM
Stanley Park Totem Poles at Brockton Point are not just old artworks steeped in history and culture. These nine huge totem poles are all intricately carved from western red cedar.
Each pole is like a chapter from a book that shares tales of Indigenous heritage—some date back to the late 1800s! It’s pretty wild to think this collection kicked off in the 1920s.
And here’s the touching part: they were created during a time when colonial narratives often overlooked Indigenous stories. The first pole went up in 1903; since then, they’ve added more and restored others that have weathered over the years.
Each pole symbolizes different clans and carries a unique meaning. For example, the Rose Cole Yelton Memorial Pole honors the last resident of the Brockton community and stands as a powerful symbol of resilience and memory.
Pro tip:
Try framing your shot with some of the surrounding natural beauty—like lush greenery or distant mountains—to capture the art and stunning context within Stanley Park.
10. Main Street Poodle Sculpture
Media credit: city. features
Website: https://covapp.vancouver.ca/PublicArtRegistry/ArtworkDetail.aspx?ArtworkId=530
Address: Main Street and 18th Avenue
Operating hours: 24/7
Have you heard about that quirky poodle sculpture at Main Street and 18th Avenue? It’s such a fun little spot! The sculpture, created by Gisele Amantea, is called Untitled (Poodle).
It just sits on a tall pole, almost like it’s giving a playful nod to all those vintage stores around that area. This whimsical poodle, which has a porcelain-like look, was installed in 2012 as part of this cool project called Memento.
Can you believe it started as part of a temporary art show on trolleybuses? Over the years, it’s become a beloved fixture for locals and visitors alike. But you know what? It sparks conversations and brings people together.
Amantea encourages us to consider our connections with our pets—those memories of joy and companionship. Plus, I love how the poodle embodies elegance while being super playful, reflecting Vancouver’s artistic and quirky spirit.
Pro tip:
Get down low—literally! Kneel or sit on the ground to shoot below eye level with the poodle. This angle highlights its charming features and allows you to frame it against the backdrop of bustling Main Street.
