Artsome selects some thought-provoking Street Art from around the world.

Walls with voices: Protest Art on the Streets

For centuries Art has been a useful tool for people to rebel against the establishment and target glaring socio-political and economic injustices. The 21st century is rich with various known and unknown street artists splashing the streets with their shared criticism of culture, capitalism and war. ‘Controversial’, ‘illegal’ and ‘defacement’ are some of the words associated with Protest Art, but at the end of the day, if voices remain unheard then the walls start speaking.

Artsome selects some thought-provoking Street Art from around the world.

Street Art in the USA

Unknown street art in the United States ( photo courtesy - visittheusa.com)

Clarion Alley - Wikipedia 

Clarion Alley 2012
  • Banksy

This is a work by UK’s most famous politically motivated Street Artist Banksy which shows a Girl frisking an armed soldier with his hands against the wall. Banksy selected Bethlehem for the exhibit to allude to the birthplace of Jesus and also because it is at the center of allegations of human rights abuses.

Girl and a Soldier is one of the 2007 pieces that Banksy put up on a wall  in Bethlehem. The innocent little girl is seen frisking … | Mural,  Konstnär, Vackra bilder

Banksy, Girl frisking a Soldier, 2007, one of many stenciled images on the wall of West Bank in Bethlehem.

A javelin thrower operates with slightly heavier ‘artillery’ in Banksy’s witty retort against the authorities as they brought down restrictions on graffiti artists in London, prior to the 2012 Olympic Games.

  • Banksy Olympics Protest

Have you ever seen Mona Lisa with a Bazooka? Here’s a stenciled image of Da Vinci’s serene smiling beauty holding a rocket launcher, courtesy Banksy.

Photo by Alice E Basta | Street art, Graffiti, Canvas art prints

Mona Lisa with a Rocket Launcher (Photo courtesy - Pinterest)

Guelph graffiti gallery: Photos of street art from downtown Street Art Walk

Work of an unknown Street Artist on a wall in Guelph, Ontario in California, USA.

This next one is called ‘Explosive Birth’ accompanied by an inspiring quote by writer Vitaly Friedman – “Just popped out of my head and onto the wall…like a new born baby it just happens everyday”

  • Political Graffiti

Obama-inspired Street Art

A lot of artists were influenced by Obama’s historic election campaign and made graffiti in support or even in mockery of the US President.

Barack Obama - Santa Fe Art District | Barack Obama by Koolh… | Flickr

Barrack Obama by Koolhats in the Santa Fe Art District, USA

  • OBEY

Shepard Fairey, a prior skateboarder is now an established graffiti artist and illustrator who works under the iconic tagname ‘OBEY’.

Pin by Dan Askew on Typography | Obey art, Shepard fairey obey, Street  artists

Shepard Fairey, OBEY Art, Guns and Roses, Cargo Bar in London

Vote For Nobody - SharenatorSharenator

Vote For Nobody

15 Captivating Works Of Art That Challenge The McDonaldization Of Society |  HuffPost

Soldiers hoisting a Mcdonald’ s ‘ Drive-Thru’ Flag