Vrouwen op muren Diversiteit in (post-)revolutionaire Egyptische graffiti

The 25 January Revolution in Egypt and its aftermath saw a great rise in the amount of graffiti and street art. It was a medium to challenge official discourse and played a role in forming collective identities and claims. In the wake of Mubarak’s deposition, the immediately apparent heterogeneity within the Egyptian public sphere contrasted sharply with the myth of homogeneity that had been endorsed by the regime. The revolution opened up space for discussion on the political future of Egypt, but also on social issues. These debates are reflected in the graffiti of 2011-13. This article analyses the representation of women in graffiti during this time, exploring the multiplicity of ideas and images therein as a case study of the diversity within the Egyptian public sphere following the revolution and the openings for new narratives and debates that the revolution provided.