The Mural

The mural "This Hand is Planting Flowers" was created by artist Kusha Chiks along with students of Architecture and Graphic Design from Technical School 23.Maj to address environmental issues in their city. Located on Rose Street in Pančevo, the mural draws inspiration from both the street's history and its namesake, Ruža ("rose" in Serbian). The artwork features 33 images of a hand, progressing from holding trash to a blooming rose, symbolizing the power to reverse environmental damage through active protection. Once defaced with chauvinistic graffiti, the wall has been transformed into a symbol of renewal, garnering admiration from passersby for its positive impact on the city.

**Kusha Chicks, Artist**

Irena Jevtović, known by her artistic alias "Kusha Chicks," is a skilled muralist from Čačak, Serbia, and one of the few Serbian female artists working in the mural scene. She divides her time between Čačak and Belgrade and developed her talents at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Belgrade, where she completed both her undergraduate and master's degrees in painting.Irena has exhibited her work in several solo and group exhibitions and she is also part of the organizing team for the Urban Culture Days (DUK) festival in her hometown. The name "Kusha Chicks" reflects her Indian-inspired alias, with "Kusha" meaning talented, a fitting description for this promising artist.

The Issue

Pancevo, Serbia, faces severe environmental challenges, with air pollution being a major concern. The energy sector, transport, industrial activities, and waste dumps contribute to high levels of pollutants which often exceed safe levels. This has resulted in increased health risks, including higher rates of premature death compared to many EU countries. Additionally, habitat loss and declining biodiversity are pressing issues, with numerous plant and animal species under threat. These environmental problems have been exacerbated by the 1999 NATO airstrikes, during the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, which released vast amounts of chemicals into the atmosphere and caused long-term damage.

Kusha Chicks, Artist

"This has been a challenging project because of the size of the wall, but like a rose, it has bloomed, and that makes me very happy. I particularly enjoyed working with the students on this mural. They even told me about the street’s name, its meaning, and its history, which inspired us to incorporate roses into the design. The students were incredibly creative and fully engaged throughout the process."

Zorica Prpa, School Psychologist

"The workshop directly and indirectly engaged many students, making them aware of their potential to actively participate in solving local issues and contributing to community solutions. I hope this initiative will inspire other students to embrace participatory approaches and artistic methodologies, which are now part of the curriculum."