Neither did I, @anon5422159 and @LeeHC prompted me to find out more and the closest image I could. Great topic this - thanks for starting it!
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Could be… I was really hoping @Starman was going out to try and catch up with Nathan and try to interview him for the FHSoc newsletter?
Who knows, but to generate discussion such as this is probably part I would think!
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A good idea. Though a broader piece on street art. The FHS also welcomes submissions so if anyone wanted to consider writing a piece, get in touch with us (or me).
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So good!
I’m afraid this comment smacks of unconscious bias. This is a great artwork and at this time in history artists need to show some activism. Isn’t that how Banksy made his trade.?
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Looks incredible.
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I simply don’t like this massive piece of graffiti, featuring a lot of angry and threatening looking men, protesting an injustice that happened decades ago, thousands of miles away
I think the art only inflames racial tension, and takes race relations backwards rather than forwards.
The U.K. police are very restrained in their use of force, compared to other police around the world, yet recent activism has prompted the police to be violently attacked by large mobs of people. Look at what happened in Brixton yesterday.
I dont view the art as only protesting an injustice decades ago, I see it as reminding us that the injustice is still here, and that it never went away. Given the conversation it has sparked here I think it’s doing a good job.
Edit: I think it’s also pretty obviously protesting the injustice we’ve seen recently in the murder of floyd, Taylor and many others, the fact that the imagery is from decades ago but is still relevant right now speaks volumes.
I’ve read the article you linked and can’t see the relevance to the street art.
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This argument makes zero sense to me. Are we only supposed to protest things that happened recently/locally?
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Well it all depends on our motivation, doesn’t it?
Do we want to fan flames by rekindling old/distant grievances? Or do we want to move on?
I spent some time with friends in Belfast and it was clear that the remaining paramilitary murals and violent propaganda daubed on houses was not helping people move on from the Troubles, even though those troubles happened before they were born in many cases. Luckily there are projects dedicated to removing these murals:
I’m not sure it’s for us to determine when the right time to move on is. It feels premature to be talking about moving on then the injustice is still happening.
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I’ve read this narrative elsewhere, but I really don’t see the link.
So am I right in assuming you believe the disparities that led to the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Strike (depicted in Bowen’s graffiti) are present in the modern day UK?
If you believe this is the case, what changes do you propose in order to resolve it? As far as I know, racial discrimination has been illegal for many years in the UK, likewise racially-motivated hate speech. So what changes do you think are outstanding?
And how does this mural help prompt those changes?
Perhaps for the following reason:
Who says these men are angry and threatening? Is it because they are black and brown? Or because they are holding signs? Because otherwise they look exactly like the characters in all of Nathan Bowen’s art…
I’m a white person and subscribe to updates about “Perry Vale” on this forum which pop up in my email. I’ll be honest a lot of the comments and attitudes expressed here made me think more than twice about engaging…
What do you think this piece of art is actually about?
Also since when did street artists or protest groups ask for “permission”? Street art may be seen as more acceptable these days, and in some cases even commissioned by local government, but it was born out of unsanctioned protest and self-expression — and continues to emerge from that place.
I for one am more appalled by the “paid for” advertising which constantly feeds our unconscious biases and affects out thoughts and behaviours. Money and power buys influence and lets those in possession of it set the agenda (e.g.
)
So if Nathan wants to reclaim some vacant space for an entirely topical and relevant and necessary piece of art about a subject we should all be thinking about and taking seriously then I champion his bravery, skill and sensitivity.
I personally think the best way to be inclusive would be to approach the artist himself and ask for his reasons behind the work.
https://www.instagram.com/nathanbowenart/
I wonder if he thinks the grievances are “old and distant”? Or should even be categorised as “grievances”? That word seems to trivialise a struggle for equality and the right to a life free from fear because of your skin colour.
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If your point is that equal pay for sanitation workers isn’t the issue in play here then we agree. But I see the link as being one of institutional racism which certainly still exists and has not been eliminated by the laws you reference.
I’m not going to list ideas I would like to be implemented but would suggest that the 35 recommendations in the Lanny report, the 110 in the angiolini review, the 30 in the Wendy Williams review and the 26 in the McGregor Smith review are a good starting point.
And the mural has clearly sparked a debate here, and could be a sign of solidarity for others, so i think it’s a force for good.
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Please don’t make spurious accusations of racism.
These are not the expressions of cheerful and non-threatening men:
And yet in another thread you were disappointed that these angry white cartoon characters have been painted over?
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