Street Art in Ukraine
TVBoy
Images of "Rebirth and Hope" in Wartorn Streets
By: Isabelle Wilson ’26
Italian street artist Salvatore Benintende, who goes by TVBoy, advocates for social change and freedom by spray painting the walls of public spaces, including garages, buildings, and schools. With bold strokes and vibrant colors, he transforms urban spaces into canvases of activism, addressing pressing issues and sparking public dialogue. TVBoy’s street art catches the public’s attention and forces them to reflect on social and humanitarian issues in their daily lives. TvBoy is most famous for his street art that appears throughout Europe. His style is inspired by a blend of American pop art, including artists such as Andy Warhol, and classic artists, including Leonardo, Botticelli, and Michelangelo. He recently debuted an exhibition in Paris that reimagines iconic French paintings, including Eugene Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People, to highlight contemporary social and political issues in France and the “ongoing struggle for fundamental rights.”
In January 2023, the Italian NGO and humanitarian organization Cesvi invited TvBoy to cities in Ukraine most severely impacted by the full-scale Russian invasion, including Kyiv, Bucha, and Irpin. He painted 15 symbols of hope, freedom, and resilience throughout these cities, including doves, sunflowers, and Ukrainian flags. Several of these murals actively highlight pressing humanitarian issues and Cesvi’s work to support Ukraine. For example, he painted a mural entitled “Kids are Hope” on a Kindergarten in Bucha that Cesvi had restored and reopened. The kindergarten now welcomes 300 children. These images, appearing on war-scarred buildings and even abandoned tanks, seek to spread hope through art.
In light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, TvBoy’s art serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of the Ukrainian people. It is a commentary on the devastating effects of war, but more importantly, it imparts a message of strength and solidarity, a hope for peace for future generations. The murals, painted on the sides of destroyed buildings and other visible signs of war, engage with the harsh reality of physical destruction in Ukraine, yet they also celebrate the indomitable spirit of the Ukrainian people. TvBoy’s audience, therefore, isn’t just Ukrainians seeking hope, but also an international viewing public.
This mural, found on the wall of a school in Bucha, is a powerful symbol of hope and resilience. It depicts a little girl, who might represent Ukraine, standing on a ladder and painting a peace symbol in the iconic colors of the Ukraine national flag: yellow and blue. Despite the violence that has taken over the country, the image of the young girl taking action to promote peace sends a profound message of optimism and courage. By choosing a school as the backdrop for this mural, TVBoy emphasizes the importance of education and nurturing the next generation to strive for a better future.
Another mural in this series depicts a peace dove on a wall in Irpin. This symbolic artwork carries profound meaning in the context of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The peace dove, an enduring symbol of hope, serves as a beacon of light in the darkness of war. With its serene expression, the dove embodies the desire for peace. Placed against the backdrop of Irpin, a town deeply impacted by the conflict, the mural takes on added significance, serving as a visual reminder of the resilience and determination of the Ukrainian people in the face of adversity. The site of this piece highlights the aftermath of war, which can be seen on the facade of the damaged wall behind the bird. This choice of location is deliberate, as it allows the artwork to become an integral part of the community, offering inspiration to Ukrainian citizens as they navigate the challenges of war.
Lastly, a mural in Bucha shows a child painting an anti-war slogan. The child reaches above their head to paint “war” onto a stop sign. The image of a child–typically associated with innocence and vulnerability–taking a stand against war through art is profoundly moving. Painting an anti-war slogan symbolizes the power of expression as a means of resistance and advocacy. TVBoy’s choice to depict a child as the protagonist emphasizes the impact of war on some of the most innocent members of society. The child also points to the next generation’s importance in preventing future wars. Through this mural, TVBoy sends a powerful message of resilience, courage, and hope in the face of adversity. What is most captivating about this piece is TVBoy’s use of an actual stop sign, which integrates his art into the city’s physical space. The child’s defiant gesture embodies the spirit of resistance, echoing the sentiments of countless individuals affected by the conflict in Ukraine.
Explaining the meaning behind the murals and his experience in Ukraine, TVBoy stated, “Only by visiting Ukraine, I have truly understood the strength and bravery of these people. To leave a sign of my passage through the streets of Kyiv, Buča, and Irpin’, cities scarred by Russian attacks, is my personal tribute to the victims of this and all wars. The message contained in each artwork is one of rebirth and hope, in the hope that the conflict will come to an end as soon as possible.” As the world grapples with the complexities of armed conflict, TVBoy’s murals serve as a glimmer of hope in the streets of a country marred by war.
Isabelle Wilson is a global affairs and philosophy major with minors in Italian and human and civil rights. She is a sophomore in Badin Hall, where she serves as social media commissioner. She is involved in multiple campus organizations like Students Against Human Trafficking and the Global Health Club. She is from Baltimore, Maryland.
Research by: Isabelle Wilson
Art by: TVboy
Theme: The Battle for Democracy
Header image: From TVboy's murals in Kyiv, Ukraine, spray paint. Used with permission.
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