In Paris like anywhere else in the world, the world of street art has been showing support to the Ukrainians through meaningful murals. As solidarity is being organized and the war in Ukraine rages, street artists do what they do best, condemning and supporting through creations paying tribute to the Ukrainian people.
We must say Ukraine is a breeding ground for street art and many artists, especially in France and Paris, and many of them travel there. Among the pieces recently discovered in Paris, there is one by Julien Malland aka Seth Globepainter, set rue Buot in Paris 13th arrondissement, inspired by children he got to meet when staying in Donbass, one of the Ukrainian regions at the very heart of the conflict growing since 2014.
“This drawing symbolizes the courage of Ukrainians faced with the Russian invasion”, he said. I do not usually express my views on current events, but I know how important it is for the people living through this dramatic situation to know that we are thinking of them”, he told HuffPost US.
Since Thursday March 10, a huge mural adorns the wall of a building at the corner of rue Domrémy and rue Patay in Paris 13th arrondissement. Renowned street artist Christian Guémy, aka C215, wanted to pay tribute to anonym people, victims and heroes of this new dramatic war.
This work covers four floors and shows a kid, “a universal little girl”, C215 states and insists on, wearing a crown of flowers on her head, “symbol of the Slav countries”. The artist states he did not want to create an aggressive or idolatrous piece. He got inspired by a quote from Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, wrote in Cyrillic underneath C215’s work: “I really do not want my pictures in your offices, for the President is not an icon, an idol or a portrait. Hang your kids' photos instead, and look at them each time you are making a decision”.
Under C215’s huge mural also stands one by graffiti artist Bebar, a mural also painted to show support to the Ukrainian people. “It was very hard to find the right words for the inauguration. As an artist I had to voluntarily support this cause, but also as a citizen to stand for Peace, Liberty and condemn this fratricidal war!” he wrote on Instagram.
If you walk around boulevard Vincent Auriol, you can also see a painting by Djoulaylapapaye. The artist has created a mural for Peace, for Ukraine, for Life, for the Future, for Women, for the Innocents…
Rue Barrault, as 11 female street artists held a live painting for Women’s International Day, street artist Carole B Collage has decided to change her original work to support all the Ukrainians. It shows a double tribute: Wonder Woman – the most famous female superhero – crowned with flowers bearing the colors of Ukraine. Violet for the symbolical color of the fight for Women’s rights and equality, as well as the color of the Marianne stamp for the international. It reads the motto “Liberty, Equality, Solidarity”, underlining the world’s support and compassion for this people. And while browsing more information on the complex history of Ukraine, the artist discovered two dates of declaration of independence, claimed by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (unicameral parliament of Ukraine) in Kiev: 1917 and August 24, 1991. Both dates are written on the mural. No to war, no to injustice, she claims on her Instagram.
Of course, by the Butte aux Cailles in Paris 13th arrondissement – aka street artists’ favorite playground – shows many paintings in support to Ukraine. “Fight for your rights”, here are the words written by artist Kelu Abstract, right across his friend Jeff Aérosol’s piece that needs no further comment.
Condemning, supporting, raising awareness, sharing messages… Here are what street artists do with their resources.
Dates and Opening Time
Starts March 13, 2022
Prices
Free
Recommended age
For all
