Anyone know what happened to the beautiful artwork of the the girl and the birds outside Sylvan Post? It now has a large white patch across it, followed by grafitti added at the top of the piece a few days later. Today we noticed that the white areas had actually grown. It’s not clear if this is an attempt to cover up some previous vandalism - or if it’s vandalism itself. Whatever the case, it was a beautiful piece of art on our newly-freshened up Dartmouth Road and it’s heartbreaking to see such wanton distruction going on amidst attempts to create a more enjoyable Dartmouth Road and Forest HIll for all. Can anyone shed any light, or figure out how we get this fixed? See pic attached. 
4 Likes
I’ll pay for the white paint to cover it! It was looking very tatty beforehand, now it makes Forest Hill look like some kind of crack ghetto.
4 Likes
I loved it and would like to see it restored.
7 Likes
White paint to cover it? Sure, just a giant whiteboard for more tagging. Personally, I think a wide range of imaginative murals in the area is to be encouraged. After all, we have more than a few artists around the area.
8 Likes
What a shame. Was rather proud of that.
3 Likes
Hope it’s fixed soon 
Does anyone remember who did the original art work? Perhaps they can be persuaded to do a repair.
I’ll check with Paul that owns the building & ask if it’s possible
1 Like
Or time for a change.
3 Likes
Perhaps an opportunity for the next crowd-funded commission?
6 Likes
If it is time for a change I have a friend that does amazing big wall murals, he’s not local but does commissions all over the country.
Horrible to see this one has been spoiled.
1 Like
Agree. The oaf who ‘white-painted’ it has obviously no sense of style or ability. maybe either contact the original artist or have a new mural in its place
Or about pay for an artist to create a new mural!
There is a fair amount of tagging and graffiti still visible - I wonder if the white paint was used to cover something potentially offensive? Otherwise it seems like an odd way to deface a mural. Vandals don’t often patrol the streets with large buckets of white paint and rollers.
5 Likes
Not sure about Spongebob Squarepants style.
My vote would go to Dale Grimshaw or Mr Cenz for this wall.
SE26.life has a wiki topic for local street artists with examples of their work:
2 Likes
How about starting a new thread to build up a portfolio of potential artists for any new projects going forwards? I imagine it will be harder to select an artist for a general mural based on public opinion than it was for the Forest Hill sign. Tastes will naturally differ.
4 Likes
There is a great opportunity on the wall outside party power for a new painting/mural. Am sure the white outet one could be repaired.
3 Likes
Good idea. How about asking the current artist to repair it and also comission something for the adjacent wall?
1 Like
I’d prefer to build on the existing wiki topic of artists as opposed to starting a new one - any SE26.life member can edit that page and add new local artists.
First step towards new artwork would be to speak to the owner of the building (I think it’s 30A Dartmouth Road) to see what their opinion would be on new work, and to get to know their design preferences.
Does anyone know who owns this lovely building?
Maybe once we’ve got a definitive list of local artists and been in touch with the property owner, we can start reaching out the artists to see who’d be willing to put forward a design?
1 Like