As news of the shocking ISIS attacks on Paris spread around the world, one image quickly came to represent people’s feelings of grief and loss, but most importantly, hope.
Within hours of the attack, French illustrator Jean Jullien’s simple image of the Peace symbol fused with the Eiffel Tower had already been shared across the globe, remixed and reinterpreted by other artists.
“It was the most spontaneous thing. I heard the news on the radio, and I had this heartfelt reaction. I wanted to draw something that could symbolize peace and solidarity, and I wanted something with the context of Paris,” Jullien told CNN.
As people have struggled to come to terms with the violence meted out by ISIS on the streets of Paris, which left 129 people dead and 352 injured, illustrators, cartoonists and street artists have managed to capture the complex and powerful emotions unleashed.
The role of art can often be overstated, but in the wake of the Paris attacks, the outpouring of creativity witnessed has brought hope and unity in a way politicians’ speeches could never do.
Here are some of the best images we’ve found.
Charlie Hebdo – “They have weapons. We don’t mind, we have champagne.”
#SprayForParis – artist unknown
Naypal on Instagram
James Jarvis, London-based illustrator
Norman Chuck a.k.a. “Vogue”, street artist from Oakland, California
Unknown artist
Romeoduchene on Instagram
Illustrator and photographer Kerstin Hiestermann from Hanover, Germany
@seth_globepainter on Instagram – “Tossed but not sunk”
What’s up Lebanon on Instagram
Paris Métro Line 13 – Photo by @itskarlotte on Instagram, artist unknown
French illustrator Agathe Toman
Artist unknown
Cartoonist Marc Beaudet, Montreal
Pianist Davide Martello transports his piano by bike to play John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ outside the Bataclan theatre, the scene of Friday’s attack
Seen anything great we’ve missed? Tweet us @Huckmagazine on Twitter
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
We have tried to credit all artists, please let us know if any credit information is missing or incorrect.
You might like
Kristina Rozhkova’s scatty, confronting portrait of captivity
Gut Feeling — The Russian artist’s 2024 arrest and subsequent detention opened her eye towards the omnipresent dynamics of power and control. Her new photobook is a stark exploration of being trapped.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Washing strangers’ feet at Houghton Festival
Pedilavium — As part of artist Henry Krokatsis’s performance piece at the weekender, we sat down with over 30 others to clean the dusty digits of passersby, while reflecting on the power of collective ritual and human connection.
Written by: Isaac Muk
The anti-tourism guides revealing Lisbon’s true, radical heart
We Hate Tourism Tours — The Portuguese capital sees millions of people visit a year, against a backdrop of political turbulence and a housing crisis fuelled by short term holiday lets. Jack Burke meets the crew subverting their city’s perception, while bringing lesser seen stories and monuments to light.
Written by: Jack Burke
The art of paying attention: How Austria’s Alps reward slowing down
Lebensgefühl — With a growing movement of art and music rooted in the area’s mountains, trees and waterfalls, the region is showcasing the importance of the human relationship to nature.
Written by: Sophie Lou Wilson
Inside Parkuir: the art project queering sport, space and our bodies
Lie and play — Founded by Maria Laudes and Guiu Gimeno, it provides a framework for engaging, subverting, and celebrating the small details that make people unique – and queer.
Written by: Molly Lipson
A major Nan Goldin exhibition is coming to London
You Never Did Anything Wrong — Opening at the Hayward Gallery in November, the show will debut a new film from the artist and activist, alongside a slate of recent work.
Written by: Jack Dennison-Thompson
