Love the interplay and juxtaposition that the Iranian duo Icy & Sot bring to the table in their art. Great stuff.

This is another Icy & Sot print, and like much of their work, it carries a strong social and political message.

The image depicts a young boy and girl sitting on a sandy surface, seemingly playing. However, instead of traditional toys, they are interacting with miniature soldiers—some of which they appear to be hammering into the ground. The contrast between childhood innocence and the presence of war is a recurring theme in Icy & Sot’s work.

• The impact of war on children – The image suggests how children grow up in environments shaped by violence, often forced into roles they don’t understand.

• Reclaiming control – The children appear to be hammering down the toy soldiers, which could symbolize a desire to dismantle war, aggression, or violence.

• Contrast between play and reality – The bright clothing of the children (tie-dye and floral patterns) contrasts with the harsh imagery of war, reinforcing the tension between childhood innocence and conflict.

Icy & Sot are an Iranian-born, Brooklyn-based street art duo known for their politically and socially charged artwork. Originally from Tabriz, Iran, the brothers—who go by Icy and Sot—started their careers as stencil artists before expanding into mixed media, sculpture, and installation art. Their work often addresses themes like human rights, freedom, migration, climate change, and social justice.

Icy & Sot’s art is characterized by bold imagery, often featuring silhouettes, barbed wire, birds, and other symbols of oppression and hope. They frequently use found materials like fences, metal, and plastic waste to create thought-provoking installations. Their stencil work draws influence from classic street artists like Banksy and Blek le Rat, but with a distinctly personal and political edge shaped by their experiences growing up in Iran.

This print depicts a hooded figure sitting under a lush green tree, which is juxtaposed against an urban rooftop environment. The tree casts a shadow onto the brick wall behind it, creating the illusion of a hidden sanctuary in an otherwise bleak landscape.