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I know embracing street art, one of the most cutting edge art forms, could bring benefit to the Island. Financially, culturally and societally, and I’ll prove it.
I’ll hold my hands up and say “Yes, I have a conflict of interest here”, because I do.
Seven Months ago I picked up a spray can for the first time, and like the very best of hobbies, it sucked me in completely.
So when I saw the graffiti on the bus terminus kiosks, and the one opposite the States Chamber, my reaction was different to most.
“Sloppy, poor line work, and awful shapes.”
Pictured: Examples of vandalism over the past few weeks. Left, at the town Bus Terminus, Right, outside the States Chambers.
I joke, obviously.
Acts of vandalism should be greeted with great destain, but from an artistic point of view, without a legal option how would they possibly learn the correct techniques?Without a place to legally paint, how would they learn to create artwork, instead of using art supplies to damage public property?
There have been attempts by organisations locally to highlight the benefits of street art, and I’ll be publishing a sister-story to this one which you can read HERE.
It’s focussing on the points of views of the experts that I consulted when putting this article together. I’ve used some of their comments and perspectives to help structure this opinion piece, and I hope that by the time you’re done reading, you’ll agree with me that Guernsey should have a legal wall, or places encouraging street art.
Pictured: David Ummels (Art for Guernsey), Louise Le Pelley (Guernsey Arts) and Mark Craig (Leake Street), have had their say.
Well this could be answered in several ways:
However I think the best way to explain these benefits is to listen to an expert in the field. Mark Craig is the Resident Artist for the Leake Street Arches in London, also known as the ‘Banksey Tunnels’. Years ago they were used as a connection for the Eurostar, but since 2008, when Banksy used the defunct tunnels for his ‘Cans Festival’, it’s become the home of Spray Painting in London.
It’s got simple rules, which all revolve around respect. Anyone can paint, don’t mess with art in progress, expect your art to be painted over (so take photos), and clean up after yourself. The dropping of the Eurostar link had left it in a rather poor state. Mark says the area was becoming fairly dodgy and unsafe, a million miles from what it is now, until the graffiti artist took it over and gave it new life.
“That was the turning point, it wasn’t until after the festival when Leake Street Became Leake Street.
“There is this amazing energy, which kind of polices itself, as long as it’s within the boundaries, and its contained as much as possible, it really, really works.
“It’s so giving, it’s so tangible in terms of it’s opportunity and what it gives to other people, and that’s the trick, if you don’t dictate to it, if you allow it to do what it needs to be, it suddenly starts presenting real opportunity.”
Mark goes on to tell me that the space is now vibrant, pulled back from a dodgy area that had lost it’s purpose, to a stunning living, breathing art display, that welcomes anyone and everyone. Tourists walk to find it, some book in special workshops to learn the ropes, and youngsters who could be at risk of falling into the wrong crowds have a creative, productive outlet that is open to them.
Not all agree that it would be a definite fix for those social issues, and you can read more about that in that sister article I mentioned before, but the local Art Industry is in wide spread support of the creation of a legal wall, or a space to paint.
I could talk about the emotive reasons to create such a space, but I don’t have to, I got the experts to.
It’s still in the realm of opinion, I just chose to back mine up with the people who have expertise locally.
Pictured: Mark Craig, the Artist in Residence at Leake Street, standing infant of one of his large murals.
Louise Le Pelley is the Partnerships Development Executive at Guernsey Arts, she said: “A big part of 'Legal Wall' culture is tolerance, respect and the appreciation of art. These are really important values. Guernsey Arts believes that the installation of a Legal Wall would be an advantageous addition to the public arts landscape in Guernsey and allow accessibility to the arts.
“Vandalism is something that occurs mostly out of boredom and a lack of respect. If there are more opportunities to get involved in sanctioned creative projects in dedicated spaces, which are easy to access with creative role models on hand to advise and support, this can only be a good thing.
“Experimenting or participating in artwork on Legal Walls can serve as an entry point for young or emerging artists who may later transition to formal public art projects and exhibitions, or indeed... careers!”
Pictured: Louise Le Pelley, inner right, the Partnerships Development Executive at Guernsey Arts.
With Guernsey boasting a rich history of local and visiting artists, surely making a public space, which can be used by all, and be another draw to the island, makes perfect sense? It makes sense to the man behind Art for Guernsey, David Ummels.
His organisation worked with the Youth Commission to beautify the Skate Park, whilst working with local, UK, and further afield artists, they’ve also run workshops on island to promote Street Art. Mr Ummels informed me that they’re planning on beautifying a derelict swimming pool with the island's skaters to help provide a beautified spot that’s suitable for winter.
According to sources far and wide, the beautification of public spaces is meant to lead to a happier population, better community engagement and economic benefits from creating jobs. It’s almost a well known fact at this point, and those are all things Guernsey should be aiming to achieve.
David says providing islanders with Street Art experiences has been beneficial to more of the population than you might think.
“I think that it's a good idea and if it's done in a considerate way, I think that the population will embrace that. I was really surprised, every single time we have street art, artists, the older generation comes and you may think that, oh, they're going to be like, 'oh, that's not my style', but they're actually very happy. They're very happy. It may not be their style, but they're very happy that it's pleasing the younger generation.”
Now David has had some really interesting ideas and suggestions for embracing more Street Art locally, again they’ll be summed up succinctly in that sister article I keep mentioning. I’d love for you to go read it as the experts had a lot more to say, not all of it in agreement on every point, but agreeing on the main one.
Guernsey would benefit from dedicated spaces for Street Art, and our local organisations would love to be involved. They just need help earmarking the right spaces.
Pictured: David Ummels, Chairman of Art for Guernsey.
Now we’ve heard from the experts and you’ve been pointed in the right direction to be reading more, but for a second I want to drop the formalities of facts and figures, and instead, briefly talk about the direct impact art has on lives. I know people who would put their hand on their heart and say “art has helped save or improve my life” in one way or another.
There’s a reason we’ve used it for years and years as part of rehabilitation, and it is a core part of our educational curriculum. As a species, we were painting on walls before we had crops growing in fields, and it must have served some purpose beyond, ‘it’s something to do’.
I see the lazy, sloppy lines sprayed by bored teenagers, as a sign that Guernsey is calling out for a return to nights of painting walls, and sights of artworks adorning our buildings. It provides opportunity without heavy investment. It’s supported across the artistic industry, even if the hows and why’s don’t line up, the end result is still embraced unilaterally.
Provide a space for artists to create, and talent to be fostered, and watch Guernsey’s legacy of talented artists be secured for a little whilst longer. I feel incredibly privileged to have had a private space to learn, but not everyone has access to that, and I think that’s a crying shame.
To quote one of my best friends “If Leonardo da Vinci was alive today, he’d be painting with cans”.
Now just imagine if that next da Vinci never got to pick one up in the first place.
Pictured: Myself, Luke Webb, and a piece I finished earlier this week.
If you'd like to read the experts' opinions in full, you can do so HERE.
