East Timor gained it’s independence back in 1999, but life hasn’t been easy since the country’s 2006 civil unrest. The youth, who make up about 60% of the country, have taken to the streets in an effort to spread their messages of hope.
The walls along the streets of East Timor are covered with graffiti depicting peace signs and messages of hope for change, signaling a country still in transformation. A more than common street art tradition is emerging from the street art, and this follows a now-familiar tradition of liberated states. Other nations around the world who’ve experienced rapid transformation, such as Egypt, have also witnessed a rise in street art, as well as an increasing demand for their art internationally.
The following short film was created by Chris Parkinson, who published a book titled “Peace of Wall: Street Art from East Timor.” According to the press release, “Chris Parkinson spent four years living and working in East Timor. Throughout this time, he documented the changing political and social climate in the country through the graffiti expressed on the country’s surfaces.”
Though the street art scene in East Timor is still in it’s infancy, there are already several artists who have begun establishing a recognizable style. You can view some of their works in the video below.
Source: Huffington Post
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