Street art and politics have always shared a close relationship, but during election seasons the connection becomes especially visible. Walls, pavements and flyovers turn into contested spaces where artists, activists and sometimes parties themselves compete for attention. Murals, stencils, wheat-pasted posters and large-scale graffiti become visual battlegrounds for ideas.
Unlike traditional advertising, political street art often operates outside official channels. It may parody slogans, critique candidates or amplify grassroots voices that mainstream media ignores. In cities from Los Angeles to Kolkata, witty caricatures, bold typography and symbolic colours appear overnight, offering commentary or rallying cries. Sometimes artists create “counter-murals” that respond to state propaganda, turning walls into dialogues rather than monologues.
Because it’s public and free to view, this art reaches audiences far beyond social media bubbles. A clever stencil on a bus stop can spark conversation among commuters; a massive portrait of a reformer can inspire local pride; a spray-painted question mark over a campaign poster can plant doubt. The immediacy of street art suits the fast-moving nature of political campaigns.
Yet there’s also collaboration. Some candidates embrace muralists to craft positive community-oriented imagery rather than bland billboards. These projects can revitalise neglected spaces, showing voters a tangible commitment to neighbourhoods. Others host pop-up “art voting booths” where people paint what they hope to see from the next government.
Street art during political campaigns reminds us that democracy is not only fought in debates or ballot boxes but also on the visual landscape of our cities. It keeps politics lively, participatory and, at times, beautifully subversive.