A sizable graffiti protesting Crimea’s annexation to Russia has appeared in Simferopol, reports Espreso.TV, citing Krymr.org, April 9.
On a long concrete fence enclosing the railroad from the residential areas of the city, an unknown artist has painted the mural “Crimea=Ukraine!” in the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag.
The work has generated great interest. Passersby use it as background for photos, and train conductors blow lingering train whistles signaling “Glory to Ukraine.”
This area, which townspeople call the “Wall of the free artists of Crimea,” has existed for several decades. It turned out to be a perfect place for urban graffiti.
Crimean artists have long used it to post actual work — as a “canvas” for everyday topics and occasionally for social and political themes. The wall has been repainted several times, but somehow it is always filled with new images.
The Simferopol city council has repeatedly attempted to fight the “deterioration of the urban landscape,” but to no avail, says a well-know graffiti artist who works under the pseudonym “Sharyk.”His friends call him the “Crimean Banksy,” a reference to the British artist made famous for his drawings on political and social themes.
“To control the graffiti, the city has organized graffiti competitions,” he explains. “They tried to capture us and threatened punishment, but the buildings continue to be painted, although there aren’t many meaningful images with real social significance.” he concludes.
Source: http://espreso.tv/news/2014/04/09/u_simferopoli_zyavylysya_hrafiti_krym__ce_ukrayina
Translated by Anna Mostovych
