Pastel “Two peasants” x Art United us in Kiev

The Art United us project in Kiev has proved to be highly productive so far. Right after Reka (covered) Argentinian Francisco Díaz aka Pastel managed to finish his wall in a completely different part of the city.

As explained by the artist, the mural is based on the history of the Makhnovist movement at the time of the Russian Revolution in 1917. The revolution in Ukraine was a libertarian revolution, and the workers and peasants (Black Army) fought both Tsarist reaction and Bolshevik domination. In February 1917, there was a Popular uprising in the Russian empire. The Tsar abdicated the principal political parties – most of them Socialist, and began to set up a crude parliamentary democracy, led by the Mensheviks. But Russia was a big, bleak, backward old empire that sprawled across five time zones, communication was bad; the uprisings continued. Radicals were released from prison, dissidents returned from exile, and ordinary people became increasingly aware of the possibilities of communal power. Peasants chased out the landowners, workers took over the factories and many organised themselves democratically through local mass meetings – Soviets.

“We have all flirted with freedom and, deep inside all of us have the urge to make it a serious relationship. The Anarchist values of individual freedom, grass roots democracy, and the decentralisation of ALL forms of power are, if anything, more pertinent today then over. See you on the barricades.” – Tony Allen

As we have seeing earlier, Pastel’s work introduces the viewer into the world of nature and cultural heritage of the places he visits in a candid, peaceful and interesting way. I guess we might assume that this is also the case of this his last mural.