CONAKRY, Guinea (AP) — Street art graffiti is spreading in West Africa. In Guinea’s capital, an artist from Senegal is transforming city walls and public perceptions. Omar Diaw says graffiti was seen as vandalism in Conakry not even a decade ago. He decided to change minds by starting with public awareness murals.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Motorcyclists ride past a mural depicting a powerful woman on a street wall in Conakry, Guinea, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)
Graffiti artist Omar Diaw walks past one of his murals on a street wall in Conakry, Guinea, Saturday, Sep. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)
Passersby look on as graffiti artist Omar Diaw works on a mural depicting Guinea’s President Mamadi Doumbouya on a street wall in Conakry, Guinea, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)
A street vendor walks past a mural depicting traditional dancers on a street wall in Conakry, Guinea, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)
A mural depicting a smiling man with an elephant painted by Omar Diaw on a street wall in Conakry, Guinea, Saturday, Sep. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)
Motorcyclists ride past a mural painted by Graffiti artist Omar Diaw in Conakry, Guinea, Saturday, Sep. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)
Graffiti artist Omar Diaw paints a mural of Guinea’s President Mamadi Doumbouya as people stop to look in Conakry, Guinea, Saturday, Sep. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)
Graffiti artist Omar Diaw paints details on a mural depicting Guinea’s President Mamadi Doumbouya in Conakry, Guinea, Saturday, Sep. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)
Graffiti artist Omar Diaw stands In front of one of his murals in Conakry, Guinea, Saturday, Sep. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)
A mural depicting Haile Selassie painted by Omar Diaw on a street wall in Conakry, Guinea, Saturday, Sep. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)
Cars drive past a long stretch of murals along a main road in Conakry, Guinea, Saturday, Sep. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)
Graffiti artist Omar Diaw poses beside his mural depicting Guinea’s President Mamadi Doumbouya on a street wall in Conakry, Guinea, Saturday, Sep. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)