The Crying Skull

General Information

• Title: Commonly referred to as ”The Hungry House” or ”The Crying Skull.”
• Artist(s): A collaboration between Gijs Vanhee (the black and white skull/eye portion) and Bué the Warrior (the pink character-filled section).
• Building: A typical Belgian brick residential house.
• Company: N/A (Independent street art).
• Material: Spray paint and masonry paint on brick.
• Height: Approximately 2.5 stories (roughly 8–10 meters).

Location & Status

• Address: Pastorijstraat, 9130 Doel, Belgium.
• Condition: Weathered. As an outdoor mural in an abandoned village, it has faced significant exposure to the elements and some minor tagging/deterioration over the years.
• Vacant: Yes. The house is part of the nearly entirely uninhabited village of Doel.

History & Context

The village of Doel was slated for demolition starting in the late 1990s to allow for the expansion of the Port of Antwerp. While most residents were forced to leave, the village became a sanctuary for street artists from across Europe. The ”Hungry House” is one of the most iconic landmarks in the village, symbolizing the ”consumption” of the town by industrial progress.

In recent years (around 2022), a deal was reached to preserve parts of Doel, meaning this mural and others like it are now part of a unique cultural heritage site rather than being destined for the wrecking ball.