Dutch Royalty Visits Henk Schiffmacher Mural in Fishtown, Philadelphia

In Fishtown, Philadelphia, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands explored 'Songlines for the City,' a mural created by Dutch tattoo artist and visual historian Henk Schiffmacher. This artwork, curated by Peter Ernst Coolen—who is the founder of STRAAT Museum and editor of Street Art Today—adorns a building designed by the Dutch architectural firm Concrete. The royal engagement emphasized the collaboration between the Netherlands and the U.S. in the realms of art and architecture. Schiffmacher’s mural incorporates elements from tattoo culture, graffiti, and street art, featuring symbols such as hearts, daggers, swallows, and compasses. The concept of 'songlines' signifies mapping experiences through visual imagery. Over the past fifteen years, Fishtown has gained cultural prominence through street art, murals, music venues, and independent businesses, bolstered by Mural Arts Philadelphia and artist-led initiatives like Crane Arts and NextFab. The mural is unveiled during a period of economic and social change in the area.