Street Art in Greece: The People’s Silent Protest
As Greece descends into the largest national default in history, its people voice their feelings through art.
After five years of economic struggles, including three bailouts, Greece is now ready to default on its dept to the International Monetary Fund. If the country cannot pay back its dept, it will be the largest nation in history to default. While the Greece government refuses to reduce spending to secure a bailout and people are rushing to withdraw their money from the banks, anger and frustration is reaching the surface.
The people are not only protesting with loud demonstrations, but also in a silent, yet powerful way through street art.
Large-scale murals are spreading across the country reflecting a defiant stance as well as the people’s frustration with the EU and Greek government. The art pieces differ in style and variety from wheat paste posters stretching across multiple buildings, and graffiti spray on billboards to murals on partially collapsed buildings. From bright, loud colours to a bold dark aesthetic, the pieces range from simple tags to extensive statements.
Regardless of the stylistic differences the messages coming through speak of similar struggles. The new explosion of street art and graffiti expresses the deep frustration and angst of a people that has been facing severe difficulties over years, watching their country, the founder of modern democracy, disintegrate to a historical low point.
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