SQUATTERS

This mural titled “Okupas” (Squatters) by the artist Alberto León is a powerful piece of urban art located on an old stone wall. It depicts a deteriorated yellow door with symbols of protest, doves in flight, and several human faces peering through a crack, conveying a strong sense of surveillance, resistance, and exclusion. The modified anarchist A symbol suggests rebellion or social criticism, while the word “Okupas” directly refers to the squatters’ movements in abandoned spaces.

The contrast between the old and the intervened, along with the detail of the red carpet on the floor, adds an ironic touch: as if welcoming a normally marginalized reality. This piece challenges the viewer and invites them to reflect on social injustice, decent housing, and the invisibility of those who live on the margins.

Barcelona 2024

📷 @cristina.modi