Migration

Painted on a modest brick wall inside of an empty advertisement frame, this small but powerful stencil shows a group of silhouetted figures climbing on each other’s shoulders, reaching upwards towards a blue circle of twelve yellow stars—the flag of the European Union. The figures, fragile yet determined, suggest both solidarity and struggle, as they work together in the hope of crossing borders and finding a place within Europe.

Created by Iranian street artist Nafir, the piece uses simple shapes and stark contrasts to convey urgent political realities. His practice often addresses themes of displacement, identity, and resistance, giving voice to people whose stories are overlooked. Though easy to miss at first glance, this work resonates deeply in a city shaped by migration. Placed within a metal frame once meant for official posters, it challenges us to consider who gets included in Europe’s image of itself—and who is left outside its borders.

Nafir (Iran) is an anonymous street artist whose raw, expressive stencil work has become a powerful voice in the Middle Eastern urban art scene. Growing up in Tehran, he turned to the streets as a place to speak freely, using walls as a canvas for emotions and stories rarely given space in public life. Working quickly and quietly, often at night, Nafir creates striking faces, fragmented figures and bold visual metaphors that reflect the tension, beauty and contradictions of everyday life under restriction. His pieces appear on crumbling walls, metal shutters and forgotten corners — each one carrying a mix of urgency, vulnerability and defiance. Despite avoiding the spotlight and keeping his identity hidden, Nafir’s work has travelled far beyond Iran, resonating with audiences around the world for its honesty and human depth. Through his stencils, he invites viewers to look closer, feel deeply and remember that even in silence, people find ways to speak.