In the first half of 2020, the world as we knew it ceased to exist when humanity faced a deadly pandemic caused by a highly infectious virus, better known as Covid-19. Brazil was one of the worst-hit nations with almost 700,000 casualties to date. The country’s high death rate triggered a great deal of public outcry, with a large portion of which being communicated through street art.

Well-renowned for his breathtaking murals, including “Etnias” in Rio de Janeiro and the world’s largest mural, “Cacau”, along Castello Branco Highway, the São Paulo born artist Eduardo Kobra became one of his city’s most outspoken voices as he witnessed Brazil and the world descending into an apocalyptic health crisis. In early 2020, Kobra used the western perimeter wall of the Church of Calvary (Igreja do Calvário) in São Paulo’s Pinheiros district, as a canvas for his vividly colorful message of a worldwide solidarity, otherwise known as the Coexistence Mural.

The 28-meter wide and 7-meter-tall mural depicts five children, each of whom adheres to one of the planet’s major religions – Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism and Hinduism. All five youngsters also wear a face mask, whose front is decorated with a symbol that corresponds with their respective religion. According to Kobra, the painting, which took twenty days to complete, underscores the universal need to trust science as well as calling for a global cooperation that transcends religion and nationality.

Interestingly, the aforementioned church is home to another of Kobra’s murals, “Viver, Reviver e Ousar” (Live, Revive and Dare). Spanning across the church’s southern perimeter wall, the 2012’s mural reflects the strong link between Paris and the modern Brazilian art by portraying the morphing of the Eiffel Tower into dozens of local abstract sculptures.

photography by: Omri Westmark

photography by: Omri Westmark

photography by: Omri Westmark

photography by: Omri Westmark

photography by: Omri Westmark