Does the artist not have permission?
Great idea, thanks
And didn’t Brexit campaign have loads of billboards? Not sure what the comparison here is, and why painting anti racist art ellicits such a negative response.
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If Nathan paid to use this billboard (and has permission) then I concede, he’s probably within his rights - although I’m not sure if billboard owners would allow content that could inflame racial grievance.
Does he have permission? That’s the question.
Right, so I don’t think such a critical first reaction is merited. And what racial grievance is this enflaming? It’s not even finished yet!
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Okay @PV, lets wait to see what it looks like when it’s finished and not turn this into another long topic of tit-for-tat arguing please.
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I might be wrong, and the picture might depict a cheerful and non-threatening bunch of people of all races holding banners with slogans that unite (as opposed to divide/judge/generalise) people. Let’s see.
Ugh. I just liked the painting and it seemed relevant to the previous discussion.
Back in my box.
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It’s good that you posted this (which is why I helped by fixing the image, moving it to a dedicated topic and promoting it -neutrally- on the official SE23.life social channels).
From what I can see, no one wants you to go “back in your box”. I certainly don’t. Your posts on this forum are great.
Update: it occurred to me my first post on this topic came across as aggressive - I have toned it down.
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I do appreciate you doing this, thank you
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I agree we should wait til it is finished before casting judgement.
I will say though that it really worries me that whilst artists are putting up messages designed to show solidarity and challenge institutional racism, black members of the community will come to this forum and see the first reaction, before some of them are even finished, is one of critique and scepticism of anti racism campaigning. It’s not the impression I would want to set of SE23 so I want to be clear when I disagree.
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Rather than making presumptions about the behaviour of a whole race of people, let’s wish for black people to come here and share their individual perspectives.
Whilst you presume they support protests like the ones depicted in this art, I’ve seen evidence that some black people passionately do not. So I certainly won’t be making race-based presumptions here.
There is nothing on this forum that prevents people (of all races) expressing their opinions here, and I don’t like the suggestion that any race might be scared to do so.
Why is scared in quotes? Please re read my post. I didn’t say that I thought anyone would be scared, in fact I didn’t presume anything, I said I was worried they would come here and see the reaction to these pieces of art…
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I’ll remove the quotes if you prefer.
Well for the record, I find these messages in support of anti-racism (and deftly avoided in this discussion) a useful call/cry for unity, understanding and compassion. On a personal basis, I welcome them in our community. No doubt this billboard will be a point of conversation at the All In One if they are able to reopen on July 4th
I am very much looking forward to the final result and, should it be on this theme, hope it carries forth that positive message.
I can’t quite figure out who owns the space, but the two largest site owners - JCDecaux and Clear Channel - are both on record in support of the BLM movement and its principles, and committed to support it.
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It used to be PrimeSight, but I think they got taken over a few years back. You can almost see the new branding plaque on the top left of Fran’s photo…
Either way, these billboards have seen some awful graffiti in the past so I’m hoping for something good here.
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Nathan Bowen is prolific and you can see his work all over London. His work often includes slogans with positive messages. A lot of his work is quite commercial so its no surprise his prints, t-shirts, mugs of British-themed “demons” have become popular souvenirs for our lovely tourists. He’s just recently produced a face covering which I’m waiting on arriving.
I always feel lucky when a Bowen piece appears in the area. I do wonder if he is local.
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Dam. I was just leaving the house.
Looks amazing.
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The new owner is Global who also own the radio brands
Heart, Capital, LBC, Capital XTRA,
Classic FM, Smooth, Radio X and Gold.
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