Durban, South Africa — “In the early days we were painting on two-by-one Masonite boards,” said Iain Robertson, a Durban-based graffiti artist who goes by the name Ewok. “That’s how we would do exhibitions as graffiti artists … we’d built our own walls. And this…
Durban, South Africa — Longtime South African graffiti artist “Ewok” recently showcased his latest mural at Durban’s iconic KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts (KZNSA). Unicorn Riot interviewed Ewok during the painting to expound more on the background and inspiration for the anti-consumerist set piece.
The…
Minneapolis, MN — Centering Black youth and community, award-winning author and illustrator Javaka Steptoe recently visited Minneapolis to share his joy in art and children’s literature. Recruited by educator Titilayo Bediako, the founder of youth-serving non-profit WE WIN Institute, Steptoe presented at a community event…
Rafah, Gaza Strip, Palestine — Artist Amal Abu Al-Sabah, 26, paints on houses bombed by Israel during their war on Gaza. Her message to the world: “That the Israeli aggression must cease once and for all. And that no more aggression should ever afflict Gaza…
Palestinian calligraphy artist, Ayman Al-Husari, transforms Gaza’s war-damaged buildings into magical artistic creations in a move aimed at boosting people’s morale and overcoming the remnants of Israeli bombing raids on the Gaza Strip. “We love life,” Al-Husari said, “we have destruction, but this is not…
Silwan, Occupied East Jerusalem, Palestine – Large murals of eyes, faces and flowers have been painted on the walls of dilapidated hillside homes and easily visible to Jewish settlements with intent to draw attention to the displacement of Palestinians.
Painted in the occupied East Jerusalem…
Eastern Europe – It’s been a very long few weeks since Putin declared war on Ukraine. Both online and in the media there’s been a mix of pleas for help, spreadsheets with resources for refugees, memes and racism.
In Eastern Europe, with countries like Poland,…
Frankfurt, Germany – A large orange life vest was painted in the center of Frankfurt’s Bockenheim Campus to bring attention to the plight of refugees crossing the Mediterranean Sea. Two of the artists from ‘Collective Without A Name’ (DE: Kollektiv ohne namen) spoke with Unicorn…
Minneapolis, MN – Eight blocks north of George Floyd Memorial Square, seven artists are using Halloween weekend as an opportunity to showcase the horrors of life under white supremacy for BIPOC-identifying community members.
Flores Oscuras (“dark flowers”) is a live show for Black, Indigenous, and…
Minneapolis, MN – When Kenneth Caldwell got tagged on a Facebook post about participating in making a Black Lives Matter mural in North Minneapolis, he jumped at the opportunity.
The well-known local artist teamed up with his father, Charles Caldwell, another prolific artist, to create…
Minneapolis, MN – Nearly two months after the brutal police killing of George Floyd, a massive ‘Black Lives Matter’ mural was painted in North Minneapolis on the street in front of Minnesota’s only Black History Museum. More than a dozen local artists, some with the…
