Content warning: Abu Malik al-Shami, often hailed as "Syria's Banksy," used the crumbling walls of Darayya, a city devastated by the Syrian conflict, as his canvas to tell stories of resilience, loss, and the human cost of war. Through murals painted amidst the ruins, his
Abu Malik al-Shami, often hailed as “Syria’s Banksy,” used the crumbling walls of Darayya, a city devastated by the Syrian conflict, as his canvas to tell stories of resilience, loss, and the human cost of war.
Through murals painted amidst the ruins, his work captures the emotional and physical toll of years of violence while offering a powerful message of hope and humanity. As Syria transitions into a new chapter following the end of the Assad regime, these artworks stand as enduring symbols of a nation’s suffering and its unyielding spirit.
Dive into this collection of al-Shami’s most evocative pieces, each one a testament to the resilience of the Syrian people and a call for peace and healing in the aftermath of conflict.
In early 2013, still a teenager, he made his way to Darayya to join the Free Syrian Army.
Armed with little more than his sketchbooks and pencils, he quickly confronted the brutal realities of war. On his very first day in Darayya, he learned how to handle a gun. By the second day, he found himself on the front line.
It wasn’t until 2014 that his journey took a transformative turn. He met an artist named Majd, known as the “Eye of Darayya,” who encouraged him to channel his talent into street art. His debut mural, painted on the ruins of a large house, depicted a girl pointing to a heart—teaching a soldier about love before he heads into battle. This marked the beginning of his poignant artistic journey amidst the devastation of war.
Photo by Abu Malik Al-Shami
This mural was painted in a bombed-out school. The student is writing: ‘We used to joke and say, God please destroy the school … and he did.’
Photo by Abu Malik Al-Shami
The ironic caption reads “Happy Mother’s Day” – in the Arab world, the holiday is celebrated on 21 March
Photo by Abu Malik Al-Shami
The Arabic writing reads: “How are we celebrating Eid this year?”
Daraya," capturing the sacrifices made during the Syrian conflict. Rubble from the destroyed structure surrounds the mural, amplifying its emotional impact and stark commentary on war and grief." title="A poignant mural by Abu Malik al-Shami on the crumbling wall of a war-torn building in Darayya, Syria. The artwork features a young girl in a red dress standing at a grave, holding a white flower. The tombstone is simple and somber, with petals and leaves scattered around it, symbolizing loss and remembrance. Above the scene, Arabic text translates to "Our flowers, for whom we watered them with our blood #Daraya," capturing the sacrifices made during the Syrian conflict. Rubble from the destroyed structure surrounds the mural, amplifying its emotional impact and stark commentary on war and grief.">Photo by Abu Malik Al-Shami
Translation: “Our roses are for those who watered them with their blood”
Photo by Abu Malik Al-Shami
This picture depicts the changing nature of the Syrian conflict, from peaceful protests (2011), to regime forces (2012), to rebel gains (2013), and finally the rise of Islamic State (2014)
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.
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.
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.
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.