“HOPE / THE END,” is a project that resonates deeply with the current socio-political climate. We partnered with creator UNGA with a flyposting campaign, aiming to draw public attention to his poignant work that addresses themes of hope and despair in a complex world. His art is informed with a unique blend of both light and dark feeling, aiming to resonate with audiences worldwide who grapple with similar feelings.
UNGA’s art transcends mere aesthetic appeal, aiming to provoke thought and encourage viewers to engage with the socio-political issues depicted in his pieces. His upcoming projects, including a mural in Paris, continue this mission, striving to make art accessible and impactful for the broader public. His past includes collaborating with musicians like Pearl Jam, Beck, U2 and Kendrick Lamar which has played a significant role in his creative process.
In this interview he highlights the duality of human emotions and his personal sense of hopelessness about the future, both regionally and globally. Yet, he also emphasizes the necessity of maintaining hope as a daily practice, despite the harsh realities. This nuanced perspective is essential to his message, urging viewers to embrace the coexistence of these emotions rather than choosing one over the other.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE THE “HOPE / THE END” DIPTYCH?
I have been feeling hopeless about my region and generally about where the world is heading. I created it for myself and others who might need a message of hope at this time. At the same time, I don’t want to ignore the reality. Both sides exist within me, and it’s okay to be unsure and confused about this nightmarish reality.
CAN YOU ELABORATE ON THE THEMES OF HOPE AND BLEAKNESS DEPICTED IN THE POSTERS?
I feel like hope and despair always exist within us, and it is important to practice hope daily in an active way and not let reality defeat that sense of hope as it’s essential for driving change. I understand that if you lost a dear one, you cannot see hope at this time, this is very human, but I want to remind people (and myself) that hope is still out there – even if it’s hard to see now.
WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HOPE VIEWERS TAKE AWAY REGARDING THE DAILY DILEMMAS HUMANITY FACES?
The conflict is often seen as needing to choose between two sides, but I reject this. Both the Israeli government and Hamas don’t give a fuck about the lives of their own people. I side with those who want to live in peace, regardless if they are Israelis or Palestinians. It’s okay to have mixed feelings and to change perspectives, this is not a football match.
IN WHAT WAYS HAVE THE PHYSICAL AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS OF THE MIDDLE EAST INFLUENCED YOUR WORK?
Growing up in Israel has shaped me and my work deeply, it’s never far from the surface. It has made me see the resilience and humanity in people despite hardships. However, it also taught me how people can be manipulated and brainwashed by their circumstances.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE COLLABORATING WITH MUSICIANS LIKE PRIMUS, PEARL JAM, BECK, U2, THE ALCHEMIST, AND KENDRICK LAMAR?
Music was always our main inspiration. We started by doing gig posters and album covers for our local scene in Haifa. Collaborating with musicians we love is a dream. Even with artists whose music we don’t listen to, finding a connection is a rewarding challenge.
HOW DO THESE COLLABORATIONS INFLUENCE YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS AND THE THEMES YOU EXPLORE?
Creating art for musicians involves striking a delicate balance between our visual style and their sound, pushing us out of our comfort zone at times and offering new creative challenges. We often start by asking ourselves, “how would this music would look if it was a painting?”
HOW HAS LONDON INFLUENCED YOUR WORK?
London taught me to appreciate subtlety in colour and the power of understatement, a contrast to the brightness and brashness needed in the Middle East. Now, I value the nuances in shades and tones. Coming from the Middle East, where you have to be loud in order to be heard, not only when talking but also just because the sun is so brutal that there’s no room for those subtleties which is something I appreciate a lot, but after all those years living in London, I can also appreciate the paintings with six different types of grey.
DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION IN THE CITY?
Absolutely. London constantly surprises me, every time I think I start to know the city, I discover a whole new area I have never been to. I’m an immigrant here, but no one ever made me feel like it is not my city and I do not take this for granted.
WHAT UPCOMING PROJECTS OR CAMPAIGNS ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON?
We just finished the biggest mural we ever painted, a hangar which was 10 times bigger than anything we ever painted, it took us 4 weeks with a team of 20 helpers, so we are still recovering… The next project will be in Paris in October where we’re gonna paint outside a new Metro station in the city.
HOW DO YOU HOPE TO FURTHER ENGAGE THE PUBLIC WITH YOUR ART?
I hope to create public art that lasts longer than murals, such as sculptures in public spaces or working with art on the underground to do a tube station. The fact anyone could see our art anytime, and for free, is much more exciting to me than having it hang in rich people’s homes…
