The Plateau district of Abidjan, Ivory Coast's economic hub, has embraced graffiti as a transformative art form, shedding its previous stigma for the craft. Once viewed with disdain and prosecuted, graffiti now enlivens the city's urban spaces with vibrant murals. In November, the first Ivory Graff Graffiti Festival attracted 40 local and international artists who spent two weeks transforming city walls into a 300-meter-long masterpiece. As a result, murals now adorn major streets and hotel facades, shaping public perception of this art form. Festival organizer Benjamin Le Lieve expressed pride in the initiative, which has received high praise from passers-by for improving the city's aesthetics. This artistic revival marks a significant cultural shift and celebrates graffiti as a medium for urban renewal and expression.
SOURCE: REUTERS