The rebellion continues: Urban art as a form of protest

Join us on an exciting journey into the vibrant world of Urban Art as a powerful means of protest that cannot be silenced. Explore the various forms of urban art that continue to challenge the status quo and aim to drive social change.

From breathtaking murals to thought-provoking graffiti – experience the visual revolution and discover the transformative power of urban art in our society.

The power of urban art as a form of protest

Urban art, which particularly includes street art or graffiti, has developed into a vibrant and dynamic medium to express messages that deviate from the mainstream and to advocate for change. Its ability to reach a wide audience and creatively disrupt public space makes it an effective tool for protest in modern societal architecture.

Throughout recent history, we have seen numerous examples of urban art being used to spark social change. From Banksy to Keith Haring , urban artists have challenged established systems and stimulated conversations about pressing issues.

By infiltrating urban landscapes and interacting with communities, these artists possess the unique ability to break down barriers and amplify marginalised voices.

We would like to delve deeper with this contribution and explore the nuances behind street graffiti and its impact on political movements and societal self-understanding. We examine the subcultures and codes that emerge in the world of street art and shed light on the subversive nature of this art form.

By understanding their origins and motivations, we gain insight into the true power behind the spray can.

We will also examine the cultural resonance of street art and its role in shaping communities. Urban art has the ability to transform neglected neighborhoods into vibrant centers of creativity and foster a sense of pride and identity among residents (see the “Huzur Project” with the Urban Nation Museum and the Berlin-based tape art collective selfmadecrew ).

Through the reclamation of public space and the questioning of societal norms, street artists bring about positive social changes that extend far beyond their artworks.

In our modern society, the relevance of contemporary street art is undeniable. Its ability to capture the spirit of our times and address pressing social issues and social injustice makes it a relevant and effective medium of protest. With the rise of social media, urban art now has a global reach, allowing artists to share their messages and connect with like-minded individuals across borders.

In a world where media corporations and their power structures often overlook marginalised communities, urban art serves as a bearer of hope and a catalyst for change for those very groups.

Join us on this exciting journey as we dive deep into the rebellious world of urban art and discover the transformative power it holds in our society.

What is Urban Art? A brief definition

Urban art encompasses a range of creative practices, including murals, stencils, stickers, tape , and installations . Based on marginalization and grassroots activism , urban art challenges traditional notions of art and democratizes public spaces.

Urban art , also known as street art, is an artistic form of expression that takes place in urban environments. Urban art is deeply rooted in the cultural and social fabric of a city and often serves as a platform for marginalized voices.

What distinguishes Urban Art is its ability to go beyond traditional art spaces and reach a broader audience. It can be found on the sides of buildings, under bridges, and on abandoned lots, transforming dreary urban landscapes into vibrant and thought-provoking works of art.

Through its bold imagery, powerful messages and sometimes controversial themes , urban art challenges the status quo and offers an alternative narrative to prevailing ideologies.

It promotes dialogue, stimulates conversations, and triggers social change.

In the context of protest, urban art has played a crucial role in amplifying grassroots movements giving a voice to those who feel unheard, and highlighting systemic injustices . It represents the rebellious spirit and the power of creativity in the face of adversity. Urban art is therefore not merely a form of artistic expression; it is a powerful tool for challenging the established order and demanding a more just society.

Important examples of urban art

The Flower Thrower – Banksy (West Bank)

Attempting to select from all of Banksy's works for this list is virtually impossible, given the breadth of his oeuvre and influence. While his "Girl with Balloon" series is often considered his most iconic work in London, "The Flower Thrower" is, in our view, more significant due to its symbolic location and uniqueness.

If you only make the pilgrimage in your life to see a piece by Banksy, then it should be this one.

Nelson Mandela Mural – Shepard Fairey (Johannesburg, South Africa)

Shepard Fairey's long and illustrious career built on his famous Obey campaign , but his profile soared after he designed Barack Obama's iconic "Hope" posters . In 2014, he created this incredible mural in South Africa's largest city as a tribute to its most celebrated leader.

It may not have the subversive attitude of his Obey works, but there is no doubt that it is just as inspiring as anything else on this list.

We the Youth – Keith Haring (Philadelphia)

Keith Haring's famous pop art made waves in the early 1980s with its bold commentary and clear inspiration from New York's graffiti culture. But his most famous work is actually in the Point Breeze neighbourhood of Philadelphia.

Keith Haring began his career alongside Jean-Michel Basquiat . In 1988, he was diagnosed with HIV and decided to fight his illness through art. In his work, he battles drugs, AIDS, and many other adversities.

He painted this mural in Philadelphia in 1987, which was one of the first wall murals of its kind. After months of searching for the perfect location, he managed to do it with 14 high school students. The work was based in a disadvantaged area of Philadelphia and was intended to help develop it.

This was originally a placeholder location for "We the People" , but the piece is now part of its landscape and attracts tourists from all over the world.

The Little Girl with the Balloon – Banksy (London)

He is undoubtedly the most famous street artist in the world. The anonymous Banksy has been creating artworks around the world for more than 23 years.

In 2002, he created another of his most famous works in London, "The Little Girl with a Balloon ." This little girl in a black dress lets her balloon float away, and Banksy writes the slogan "There is always hope" it. It is his way of saying that we should never give up, even when everything seems at its worst.

In 2018, during an auction for the screen print version, the artwork self-destructed just seconds after the auctioneer's gavel came down. This is one of the biggest art scandals and still leaves many questions unanswered to this day.

My God, Help Me to Survive This Deadly Love – Dmitri Vrubel (Berlin Wall)

Even in Germany, one can find meaningful murals. Vrubel's mural is an interpretation of a photograph taken in 1979 to mark the 30th anniversary of the founding of the German Democratic Republic (GDR).

The kiss itself was not meant romantically, but was a "fraternal kiss ," a popular socialist greeting at the time. The men in the photo are Leonid Brezhnev , the General Secretary of the Soviet Union, and Erich Honecker , the General Secretary of the Socialist Unity Party of the GDR.

The “deadly love” to which Vrubel refers could be the ten-year military agreement concluded between the two states, which stipulated the delivery of chemical weapons to the Soviet Union. This mural is today not only a symbol of the Berlin Wall , but also of the city itself.

Hush! – Jef Aerosol (Paris)

Jef Aérosol – whose real name is Jean-François Perroy – is one of the pioneers of French street art . His works are known worldwide, including this huge stencil entitled "Hush!", which was created in 2011.

This iconic piece of street art is located in Paris near the Centre Pompidou, not far from the Church of Saint-Merri. In this self-portrait, the artist asks you to take a moment of silence to calm down and breathe, despite the bustling city that surrounds you.

Aérosol almost always uses a red arrow in his street art works. He uses it as a second signature, but has never explained its meaning. Originally, this mural was supposed to be destroyed in early 2014, but it was ultimately preserved and is now an iconic piece of Parisian street art.

Faith in Women – Lady Pink (Minneapolis, USA)

Lady Pink, born in Ecuador and raised in Queens, is one of the few artists who breaks with the androcentric form of street art celebrates the female figure in her murals .

Pink's folkloric goddesses not only serve to embody her South American roots and vivid imagination, but also convey a profound political message. Faith in Women explores a somewhat feminized version of war, where a baby-pink tanker casually runs over an unsuspecting rabbit, and dozens of innocent skulls gather beneath a vibrant rainbow of colors.

Chaotic, anarchic, turbulent, and yet eerily childlike: Pink's version of war is a critique of the thoughtless destruction that nations (mostly) inflict by human hands.

Inside out / Time is now, Yalla! – JR (Israel / Palestine)

JR is one of France's leading contemporary street artists. His work can be seen in public spaces in cities around the world. His work revolves around several key themes, including commitment, freedom, and identity.

The work Inside out/Time is now, Yalla! was created in 2011. For this extensive, interactive piece, Palestinians and Israelis were invited to have their portraits taken and received a large-format black-and-white portrait, which they could then place wherever they wished. This public installation calls for social justice and presents a solution that will bring peace and prosperity.

Nobody likes me – iHeart (Vancouver, Canada)

iHeart is a Canadian street artist whose work is just as enigmatic as Banksy's. iHeart uses graffiti to express his views on social issues through simple yet powerful imagery. He describes himself as "just a kid with ideas, opinions, and a lot of aerosol."

His works can be found in major Canadian cities like Vancouver and Calgary, as well as in other major cities around the world. This piece, titled Nobody Likes Me, highlights the negative influence social media has on young people. It depicts a crying child because they have no likes, mentions, or followers on Instagram. Ironically, this piece went viral on social media and was even shared by Banksy himself.

 

Etnias – Eduardo Kobra (Rio de Janeiro)

Kobra is one of the most famous muralists in the world. Originally from São Paulo artist creates street art murals on walls in Spain, France, India, and many other countries.

In 2016, for the Olympic Games in Rio, Kobra broke the record for the world's largest mural with the painting "Etnias ." It is 190 meters long and 15 meters high. This meant that a total of 3,000 square meters had to be painted. This required 1,000 cans of white paint, 1,500 liters of colored paint, 3,500 cans of aerosol spray, and 40 days of work.

The painting depicts five faces of different origins, representing the five Olympic rings and the five continents. With his work, Kobra wanted to convey the following message: "We are all one: humanity."

 

Marianne (Pleure) – Shepard Fairey (Paris)

“Marianne” was painted in 2016 by Shepard Fairey, also known as Obey , and was originally a tribute to the victims of the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris. Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité – the artist wanted to highlight these three values ​​of the French people, which he considers a necessary foundation for any democratic society.

The woman in the center of the painting is Marianne – the allegory of the Republic. Interestingly, the painting itself was inspired by a popular ornament used in printing during the Belle Époque.

On the night of December 13, a group of vandals altered the mural. The three words of the motto were crossed out with large splashes of white paint, and red blood tears appeared all over Marianne's face. The hashtag #MariannePleure (Marianne weeps) was added, along with a reference to the magazine HIYA , which received the coded message from the authors shortly after the event.

The Mystery Crew shared photos documenting their intervention, along with the manifesto and later a short video clip, which you can find here.

This hashtag, proposed by the Concorde citizen movement and supported by HIYA, is a call to artists. Who want to create and share works that respond to the way the values of the Republic (liberty, equality, fraternity, but also secularism, the right to land, the right to asylum, women's rights, to name but a few) are deteriorating in France day by day. The action has already met with considerable resonance in graffiti and other artistic circles.

The creator of the mural reacted quickly and expressed his full support for the protesters:

I stand with the people who protest against injustice. So if that's how the statement is meant, I understand. I think the French slogan "Liberté, égalité, fraternité" is truly beautiful when it manifests itself in the positive way I would like to see.

Liberty, equality, and fraternity are principles that I champion through my art and activism, and which I believe should be obvious to anyone who looks at my story, which conveys messages of peace and harmony, respect for the planet, and respect for people of all races and backgrounds.

These are the ideas I promote in my art, and which I would like to see in France, the USA, and around the world. If some people feel that the artwork Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité has been hijacked by people they disagree with, then my answer is: I am not prepared to give it to them

– Shepard Fairey –

The mural was then renewed. The three values ​​remained the same, but one small detail was changed.

I wrote a tear on Marianne's face. And I produced a new limited-edition screen print, all the profits of which will go to the poorest people. Actions speak louder than words

Obey stated this in an official statement.

His studio produced 650 prints. The profits from the sales went to the charity Les Restos du Cœur .

The following Instagram post shows a throwback photo of the street artist working on a mural in Dallas, Texas, in 2012. "Rise Above Rebel" depicts a woman looking upwards, with the words "Rise Above" . Women are not generally the perpetrators of violence in the world and in our society, so Fairey often works on portraits of female figures as symbols of peaceful resistance.

The idea of ​​rising above oppression, instead of letting the bad things happening in the world crush your soul, and finding a way to overcome them and be positive, is not always easy.”

as Fairey stated in his post.

Love Won't Tear Us Apart – D*Face (Paris, 2017)

Dean Stockton , also known as D*Face , is an English pop artist born in the early 1980s. To combat boredom, he initially drew figures on paper. Over time, his small drawings became his passion.

Subsequently, he began drawing on various media and creating stickers. Later, these became posters, which then grew even larger and eventually hung on the walls of Paris.

In 2017, he created a street art fresco in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, which he "Love won't Tear Us Apart ." D*Face paints a couple to symbolize love. The man with the skull face embodies the old relationships that are no longer in our lives but are still very present in our thoughts.

The Man and the Boat – Vhils (Lisbon)

Alexandre Farto 's (Vhils) canvas , but instead of a spray can, a hard hat and a respirator are Vhils' preferred tools.

As he chisels away at brick, plaster, and stone, the Portuguese artist manages to reveal highly detailed and beautiful bas-reliefs, as if they were intricately etched in bronze or ivory. Vhils often examines the harmful effects of industrialisation and development in cities around the world, portraying the unsung heroes of the modern, machine-manic climate.

Pac-Man – Invader (Bilbao)

In the late 1990s, the anonymous French artist Invader his ceramic mosaics, "Space Invaders" —pixelated characters from the 1978 video game of the same name—on the streets of Paris. He expanded his roster to include Pac-Man ghosts and other popular 8-bit characters, and his works now adorn cities around the world, from Los Angeles to Kathmandu.

Invader sees himself as a "hacker" of public space, spreading a mosaic-like "virus." He believes that museums and galleries are not accessible to everyone, and therefore installs his works on public streets so that all people can enjoy them daily.

The locations for his mosaics are often chosen based on their visibility, local interest, and symbolism. No two pieces are alike.

In addition to these clandestine street art pieces, Invader has created mosaics on plexiglass sheets, plywood, and book covers. He has also produced paintings, drawings, and screen prints in his signature pixelated style . These works regularly sell for six-figure sums on the secondary market.

In 2019, astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti brought one of Invader's works to the International Space Station, about 248 miles above the Earth.

Invader has since exhibited internationally, including in Los Angeles, Paris, Brussels and Hong Kong.

700 Wall – MadC (Berlin)

German artist Claudia Walde (MadC) combines her formal artistic training with street art and rewrites contemporary urban art.

The simple title “700 Wall” refers to the 700 square meters that their masterpiece occupies and can be seen on the railway line between Berlin and Halle.

Undulating colors and graphic scenes stretch across the surface of MadC's mural. They are emblematic of the artist's ability to combine a meticulous, academic approach with unbridled visual lyricism.

Their Stylemachine idea is based on the life of a passionate graffiti sprayer. It is a wall for all those street artists who have been painting for over 10 years, pouring all their energy and heart into their work.

Coexist – Combo (Paris)

Combo was born to a Lebanese Christian father and a Moroccan Muslim mother and began his career as an artist at the age of 16.

He first attracted media attention in 2012 when he put up advertising for the nuclear industry in the Chernobyl exclusion zone. In China, he painted Google pages that were censored by the Communist Party of the country: Tiananmen Square, the arrest of Ai Weiwei, etc.

He also collaborated with the feminist group Femen . On Bastille Day in 2013, he painted a massive reinterpretation of Delacroix's painting "Liberty Leading the People," replacing the Jacobins with women marching towards freedom.

He also created street art in Beirut, which he called Jih-Art , and one of his works says: "Less Hamas, more hummus."

In 2015, he was inspired by a Polish logo by designer Piotr Mlodozeniec : COEXIST .

Coexistence is illustrated through various religious symbols : the crescent moon, the Star of David, and the Christian cross. This street art calls for tolerance and respect for all faiths. Since the attacks against Charlie Hebdo, Combo has been exhibiting his art in the streets of Paris. Unfortunately, he has already been physically assaulted while creating his art.

Make Art Not War – Shepard Fairey (Berlin)

Shepard Fairey is undoubtedly one of the most influential street artists, but also an illustrator, graphic designer, and political activist. Fairey's art is a weapon against injustice, oppression, and violence; this has allowed him to question socio-political inequalities with his large-scale murals.

“Make Art Not War” not only addresses the carnage of war, but the wordplay also reveals the only feeling strong enough to stop the fire: love.

 

Ice-Cream Dream / Sueño de un Carrito de Paletas – Héctor Duarte (Chicago, 2004)

A remarkable example is the iconic mural in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago, created by the artist Héctor Duarte . This mural depicts the struggles and resilience of the Mexican community and serves as a powerful reminder of the need for social justice and equality.

Héctor Duarte was born in 1952 in Caurio de Guadalupe, Michoacán, Mexico, and showed artistic abilities as a child. While making drawings of organisms and animals in his high school biology class, he discovered his talent and began to think about a career as an artist.

As a largely self-taught artist, he attended the Siqueiros Mural Workshop in Cuernavaca in 1977, led by Luis Arenal and Roberto Díaz.

During a brief visit to Chicago in 1978 to attend the international conference on community murals, Duarte was impressed by the vitality of a mural activity and a community movement. This movement transformed the Mexican neighbourhood of Pilsen. There he met Chicano artists Ray Vasquez, Luis Aguirre, Marcos Raya, Aurelio Diaz, Oscar Moya, José Guerrero, José González, Alejandro Romero, Carlos Moth, Salvador Vega and others. These artists were involved with Casa Aztlán.

In 1985, Duarte settled permanently in the Chicago neighbourhood of Pilsen to become a full-time mural artist. With a productive artistic career, he was part of the city's significant public art scene; Duarte has created over fifty murals in public and private spaces, including in train stations.

He engaged intensively with multi-angled perspectives in the picture plane of the murals and developed a skill in creating compositions that can be viewed from different angles. Another impressive outdoor mural is the facade of his residential house and studio, where Duarte Gulliver is depicted in Wonderland.

In a second iteration on the same theme (the first mural was destroyed), a giant migrant awakens and struggles to free his body from the barbed wire that holds him. In it, the artist addresses the almost impossible journeys and lives of contemporary immigrants.

Committed to the idea that art should be fun for everyone, Duarte uses mural painting as his visual language to explore issues of struggle and survival, as well as a transnational state of the global moment. Duarte has adopted the monarch butterfly as a symbol of migration, creating a corridor between Chicago and his hometown in Mexico, thus establishing one of the most impressive transnational art corridors.

He painted the walls of buildings around the Plaza de Caurio. He also invited artists from the USA, Mexico, and Europe to submit butterflies that had once been attached to the walls and served as true protagonists in a process of circular migration.

Don't Shoot – Bambi (Rivington Street, London)

This last work was created by a woman, the famous British artist nicknamed Bambi . She was born in the 1980s and began painting graffiti on the streets of London. She is secretly known as "the female Banksy" .

She also creates provocative stencils that denounce various forms of injustice. In her works, she portrays contemporary figures such as Donald Trump or Amy Winehouse.

Her most famous work depicts five identical boys standing side by side, raising their hands. Instead of the balloons that should be beneath their feet, there are skulls. Bambi decided "Don't Shoot" . Significantly, the boys are wearing T-shirts with the Nike logo and the words "Don't Do It ." This work, which displeased Nike, was intended to be a statement against police brutality.

The complexity behind street graffiti and its impact on political movements

The thoughtfulness and creativity behind these urban art projects go beyond mere aesthetics; they aim to provoke self-reflection, highlight marginalised narratives, and foster solidarity.

Through interaction with the public in unconventional spaces, urban art successfully attracts attention and fosters empathy and understanding between communities. These examples illustrate the power of urban art to inspire activism and protest against injustices, making it a significant tool in the ongoing struggle for a more just society.

Understanding the intricacies behind street graffiti is crucial to understanding its impact on political movements.

Through bright colors, bold messages and thought-provoking images, street graffiti attracts the attention of passers-by, stimulates conversations and challenges the status quo.

What distinguishes street graffiti is its accessibility and its ability to reach a diverse audience. By presenting political messages in public spaces, graffiti artists can bypass traditional communication channels and engage directly with the public . This can have a profound impact on political movements, as it allows individuals to address social and political issues that might otherwise be ignored or silenced.

Furthermore, street graffiti has the power to tell the powerful the truth. It serves as a visual form of protest, allowing individuals to reclaim public spaces and challenge prevailing narratives . By defying authority and amplifying marginalized voices, graffiti artists can create a platform for collective expression and resistance.

Street graffiti not only has the potential to influence political movements but also to shape the cultural landscape of communities. It has the ability to foster a sense of belonging and pride and to inspire collective action. By beautifying neglected areas and depicting local history, street graffiti transforms spaces into dynamic canvases that reflect the identity and aspirations of the community.

Cultural resonance of street art and its role in shaping communities

Street art, particularly in the form of graffiti , has long been a powerful force in shaping communities and fostering cultural resonance. Its presence in urban environments often serves as a visual representation of local identity and an expression of the collective spirit of its inhabitants.

Street art transcends the boundaries of traditional art institutions, forging a direct connection with the community and engaging individuals who don't typically interact with more traditional art forms. Through vibrant murals, thought-provoking stencils, and expertly executed works, street art has the power to capture the attention of passersby and spark conversation.

Furthermore, street art has the potential to address the specific needs and concerns of a community and to act as a catalyst for social change and protest. By addressing issues such as social inequality, racial injustice, and environmental destruction, street artists create a platform for open dialogue and reflection.

The accessibility of street art encourages people from diverse backgrounds to engage with these issues and fosters a sense of shared responsibility for creating a more just society .

Furthermore, street art can serve as an effective tool for reclaiming public spaces and questioning prevailing cultural narratives. By transforming crumbling walls, desolate alleys, and neglected spaces into vibrant canvases, street artists breathe new life into communities and instill a sense of pride, self-responsibility, and cultural identity.

With their creations, they challenge the status quo, break through conventional aesthetics, and amplify marginalised voices.