In 2015, Berlin graffiti artist, Ibo Omari’s adventure began. He has dedicated himself to finding swastikas that have been painted on public walls and turns them into appropriate works of art. His goal with these transformations is to turn these hateful signs into something that could spread positivity instead. It started when a concerned father came into his paint shop to buy a can to cover up a swastika that had been painted on the children’s playground. This concern to stop hate and racism in his community is what started his project, Paintback.

“We represent hip-hop culture, and graffiti is a part of hip-hop culture. We wanted to make the separation between a tag and a hateful message being spread with a spray can.” -Omari

His non-profit campaign has spread and other artist have sent him videos they’ve posted on social media, using the hashtag #paintback, of themselves covering up swastikas they find on the streets with art as well.