It’s a poignant 2019 mural in Venice, depicting a young refugee in a life vest holding a bright pink distress flare. It highlights the plight of refugees and migrants, symbolizing the need for empathy, safety and global attention to unheard stories of survival. The child, painted in black and white, represents the vulnerability of those fleeing conflict. The bright pink flare, the only color in the image, acts a desperate call for help, highlighting the danger faced by those attempting to cross the sea. The mural appeared during the 2019 Venice Biennale, aiming to provoke reflection on the inaction of Western societies regarding the loss of life in the Mediterranean. It was painted on the side of a Venetian canal, it directly contrast the luxury tourist imagery of Venice with the severe humanitarian issues, surrounding the city’s and Italy, migrant situation. Due to its important, the mural underwent restoration and, as of May 2026, is being shown near the Arsenale to protect it for the future.
