Teach Peace (15 Photos)
Content warning: The concept of peace has been a universal aspiration for centuries, transcending cultures and time periods. Artists have long been inspired by this noble pursuit, using their talents to communicate messages of peace, unity, and understanding. In this blog
The concept of peace has been a universal aspiration for centuries, transcending cultures and time periods.
Artists have long been inspired by this noble pursuit, using their talents to communicate messages of peace, unity, and understanding. In this blog post, we will delve into the history of the “Peace” theme and examine how it has manifested in various art movements throughout history.
More: Street Art for Ukraine (14 Photos)
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PɇaceMaker – By Goin at House of Peace in Geneva, Switzerland.
Ancient Roots of Peace Imagery:
The idea of peace has been depicted in art since ancient times. The ancient Egyptians, for example, used the symbol of the “ankh” to represent eternal life and peace. Similarly, the ancient Greeks and Romans incorporated symbols of peace such as the olive branch and the dove into their art, representing tranquility and harmony.
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Peace Dove by Pappas Pärlor in Motala, Sweden.
Middle Ages and Renaissance:
During the Middle Ages, Christian art often featured scenes of the Last Judgment or the Garden of Eden, symbolizing the ultimate peace in the afterlife or the harmony that existed before the fall of man. In the Renaissance, artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Sandro Botticelli portrayed themes of peace through the use of classical mythology and allegorical figures such as Venus, the goddess of love and harmony.
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5 Pics Beach Art: Birth of Venus by Botticelli by Jben beach art and Thomas Cambois atelier on a beach in France.
18th and 19th Centuries:
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the theme of peace became more prominent in response to the socio-political upheaval of the time. Romanticism, an artistic movement that emphasized emotion and individualism, produced works like Francisco Goya’s “The Third of May 1808,” which depicted the horrors of war and implicitly called for peace. Similarly, Jean-Honoré Fragonard’s “The Swing” showcased the carefree innocence of a peaceful world.
“The Swing” by Jean-Honoré Fragonard.
20th Century and Beyond:
The 20th century saw the rise of numerous art movements that incorporated the theme of peace, often as a response to the global conflicts of the time. Picasso’s famous painting “Guernica” was a powerful statement against the atrocities of war and a plea for peace. The Pop Art movement, with artists like Jasper Johns and Robert Indiana, used symbols of peace such as the American flag and the iconic “LOVE” sculpture to convey messages of unity and hope.
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A mural of Picasso’s work Guernica.
Contemporary Street Art:
In the world of contemporary street art, the theme of peace remains as relevant as ever. Like the artists in our blogpost “9 Street Art Masterpieces Around the World Standing United with Ukraine”, artists use their work to promote messages of unity, understanding, and the importance of coexistence. These powerful and visually captivating pieces is a reminders of the potential for art to inspire change and foster a more peaceful world.
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Girl spraying the peace symbol on the clouds. Mural by Eduardo Kobra in São Paulo.
Throughout history, the pursuit of peace has inspired countless works of art, spanning various cultures and artistic movements. From ancient symbols to contemporary street art, artists have used their talents to communicate the importance of unity and understanding in the quest for a harmonious world.
As we continue to explore the fascinating realm of art, we can find solace and inspiration in the timeless message of peace that transcends time and space.
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Mural by Banksy on the West Bank wall.
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A just peace, not just a piece – by Banksy in Bethlehem.
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PEACE by Banksy.
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“Confused Peace Bird” by Stevo in Genova, Italia.
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“Girl running with wet stencil” by Falco. An adaptation from “girl running with wet canvas” by Norman Rockwell.
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In Stavanger (Norway) by Bergen based Street Artist Nimi, supported by thΞj0n and Renate Hermansen. Photos by Brian Tallman.
More photos and links here!
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“I pray for Peace” by Dirty Van Art by Pro Boy Nick (Nikita Golubev) in Moscow, Russia.
More Dirty Van Art here!
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“When the power of love is greater than the love of power, the world will know peace” – Jimi Hendrix
More: Banksy’s Gaza Murals Are More Relevant Than Ever
Which is your favorite?
Street Art for Ukraine (14 Photos)
Since Russia invaded Ukraine street artists worldwide have wielded their brushes and spray paints, creating a powerful collection of anti-war murals and protest art.
These artists visually express their resistance to the war in Ukraine and advocate for fundamental human rights and values.We’ve curated a collection of street art by artists who dedicate their creative talents to supporting peace in Ukraine. These striking pieces serve as reminders of the human cost of war while displaying solidarity against the conflict in Ukraine, often alongside fundraising efforts.
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Sasha Korban
Sasha Korban‘s mural in Kyiv emerged in April 2022, as battles for the liberation of Bucha and Irpin unfolded nearby. His work, characterized by a fusion of photorealism and Pop Art, has evolved to reflect violent power struggles. Korban’s large-scale murals promote peace throughout Ukraine, including a 2018 piece titled Milana in Mariupol, a city facing a devastating humanitarian crisis.2.
Justus Becker
German artist Justus Becker painted a giant dove of peace for Ukraine on the exterior of a downtown Frankfurt building. The dove holds an olive branch in Ukraine’s national colors, symbolizing hope and solidarity. Becker spent three days creating this powerful street art piece.3.
Christian Guemy
French street artist Christian Guemy, also known as C215, flew to Ukraine to paint serene and innocent images on Kyiv’s walls as the war broke out. Following the Russian invasion, the former Banksy collaborator created a massive mural of a girl in Ukrainian flag colors on a Paris apartment building.Despite the risks, C215 felt compelled to travel to Ukraine to help in any way he could. He has since painted several murals across Kyiv, including a poignant image of a girl wearing a flower headband near a heavily damaged metro station. More: 17 pics – Art in War – Photo Story By Street Artist C215 in Ukraine 2022
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Seth Globepainter
Paris-based muralist Julien Malland, known as Seth Globepainter, creates art that captures local communities’ cultural and socioeconomic nuances. Malland’s work in Paris’s 13th arrondissement blends his recurring theme of childhood play with symbols of war, expressing hope for a better future.5.
HIJACK
Los Angeles street artist HIJACK opposes Putin’s war on Ukraine, giving a voice to children suffering in the war-torn country or fleeing brutal bombings. His feline silhouette piece titled War Child appeared on a building wall in Fairfax, Los Angeles. Like many fellow street artists, HIJACK has released prints of his work to support Ukrainian families and children during this crisis. More by HIJACK: Street Art by HIJACK – A Collection (42 photos)6.
Krišs Salmanis
In Riga, Latvia’s capital, the Museum of the History of Medicine showcased a large banner featuring a skull-shaped portrait of Vladimir Putin on its facade. Positioned opposite the Russian Embassy of Latvia, the museum conveys a strong stance against the war in Ukraine. Conceptual artist Krišs Salmanis created the poster, which was initially commissioned as the cover image for Ir magazine. More photos.7.
TUSE
A mural depicting Putin, Hitler, and Stalin with the slogan “No More Time” adorns a wall outside the PKM Gdansk Jasien railway station. This powerful piece is the first in a series of anti-war “Solidarity with Ukraine” murals emerging in Gdansk and is the work of renowned Polish street artist Piotr Tuse Jaworski, better known as TUSE.8.
Pappas Pärlor
Swedish street artist Johan Karlgren, known as Pappas Pärlor, crafts interactive street art that enlivens everyday environments. His pixelated characters, inspired by his love for old-school video games, bring a unique touch to his creations. In Motala, Sweden, Pappas Pärlor used this signature style to depict Putin behind bars, adding his voice to the global artistic protest against the war in Ukraine. More by the artist: 87 Perler Beads by Pappas Pärlor -Collection 19.
My Dog Sighs
Beautiful artwork of a crying eye featuring Ukraine’s flag and bombing of capital Kyiv. My Dog Sighs: We’ve all sat and watched this hideous situation unfurl and while it’s not much, I wanted to do what I know best, (throwing paint) to highlight my sadness and anger over the Ukrainian invasion by Russia.10.
Mural by Banksyin Ukraine depicts a boy throwing Putin to the ground.
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PɇaceMaker – At House of Peace in Geneva, Switzerland.
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NoWar is painted alongside the mural, further reinforcing its political stance. Set against a gritty urban wall adorned with graffiti, this piece uses popular culture to deliver a powerful critique of authoritarianism and aggression." title="Street art mural by Polish artist Kawu in Wilda, Poznań, depicting Vladimir Putin as Lord Voldemort from the Harry Potter series. The artwork features Putin with pale skin, piercing eyes, and a cloak, surrounded by flames and destruction, symbolizing chaos and fear. The background includes the Ukrainian flag, emphasizing the mural's anti-war message and solidarity with Ukraine. The hashtag #NoWar is painted alongside the mural, further reinforcing its political stance. Set against a gritty urban wall adorned with graffiti, this piece uses popular culture to deliver a powerful critique of authoritarianism and aggression.">
Putin as Lord Voldemort by Kawuin Wilda, Poznań, Poland.
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Mural by Konstantin Kachanovsky in Ukraine.
More photos here!More: Teach Peace Street Art (15 Photos)
Which of these powerful street art pieces resonated with you the most?
Piotr TUSE Jaworski - gdański artysta streetartowy
Piotr TUSE Jaworski — gdański artysta streetartowy. Najbardziej znane są jego duże produkcje z fotorealistycznymi portretami.onlycrowds (Piotr TUSE Jaworski)
