Argentinian artist Francisco Díaz aka Pastel was recently in Gaeta, Italy for Memorie Urbane festival.
Not unlike the rest of Poeta’s recent work the new mural intends to symbolize the native roots of those trying to migrate to Europe by depicting African plants.
The immigration issue is a severe one, not only because immigration policies are becoming more restrictive, but also because of the increasing number of people that every day make the perilous journey on overloaded boats in hope to reach the continent, not necessarily looking for a ‘better’ life, but to avoid the horrific reality of war and genocide in their home countries.
Since the beginning of 2015, more than 35,000 refugees and migrants have crossed the Mediterranean Sea — 23,500 have landed in Italy and more than 12,000 in Greece, according to the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights. While those numbers sound high, they were even higher the previous year. In 2014, approximately 219,000 refugees and migrants sailed across the Mediterranean, with most having to be rescued by the Italian Navy, Coast Guard or merchant ships, the UNCHR said. It is estimated that 3,500 people in 2014 died at sea (Source CNN).
Author: Fran
Founder and editor of Urbanite. Street Art lover who after the finishing her MA thesis on the Mexican and Norwegian muralist movement in the 1920-50s, developed a fascination for street art and graffiti that eventually led to collaborations with different art blogs, including the creation of this one.
