Fifa World Cup 2014: Brazilian street artist's football 'feast' image goes viral

Mumbai: While the world gears up for the month-long extravaganza and on-field action, Brazilian artist Paulo Ito has drawn attention for his insightful painting which has gone viral ahead of the Fifa World Cup. The mural was first seen posted on the doors of a schoolhouse in São Paulo’s Pompeia district in Brazil.

According to Slate.com, the portrait has been drawing a lot of attention as it has become an international sensation. In the portrait, a starving Brazilian child is seen with an empty plate, waiting for food. But, all that is served to him is a football on a platter. The message is simple yet evocative.

The World Cup, where billions of dollars is being spent, becomes a matter of concern as the poverty rate in Brazil is still very high. The money could be put to better use like human development and social causes. “People already have the feeling and that image condensed this feeling,” the São Paulo-based Ito told Slate.com in an interview. “The truth is there is so much wrong in Brazil that it is difficult to know where to start,” he added.

“I didn't mean [to say] nobody is doing anything against poverty,” he said of the painting, “But we need to show the world or ourselves that the situation is still not good.”

Ito said he was surprised by the ‘powerful response’ and admitted that he had never created anything so popular in his 14 years as a street artist.

Well, we still have to wait and watch whether Fifa likes it or not!