There have been some rather disturbing accounts in recent weeks about graffiti which are clearly acts of vandalism and to be abhorred. But sometimes, just sometimes, graffiti may offer something else. This graffiti appeared on Striding Edge, part of the Helvellyn range in the Lake District, reported in the national newspapers, this picture from the Westmoreland Gazette. This appeared on a wall of a holiday home in Cornwall and was widely reported in the national newspapers and the perpetrator interviewed for her political point of view. This picture from The Telegraph. In addition the local newspaper, the Darlington and Stockton Times of 25th March 2022, reported that graves had been vandalised in the cemetery in Ripon, with symbols of the swastika, the IRA and a "Z" daubed on them. Most distressing for anyone visiting to leave flowers to loved ones. It is to be hoped that they can be cleaned. Sometimes graffiti can have an historical meaning. I can remember that there were a couple of pews on the right hand side in Richmond Methodist Chapel that were carved with names. Much tut-tutting over this, and I was told that this piece of vandalism had been the deeds of the "Bad Lads" who went to the Approved School at the top of the hill. In more recent times all the pews have been removed and replaced with comfy chairs and carpet. This has completely ruined the acoustics which were designed into the building, but also removed the historical record of the names carved on the backs of those pews. The long building in the map below was originally built as barracks for the local regiment, but they moved out in 1962 and it became the Approved School for Boys until the mid 1970s. Right at the top of the hill it could be bleak. So what should we think of graffiti? Is it vandalism? Sometimes yes, but also some can become an historical document or art. Last summer we visited Newburgh Priory near Coxwold. This was a venue for a Plant Fair where part of the grounds hosted a variety of stalls selling plants. It was a very windy day, and anyone with tall plants had to keep rescuing them. The house was not open but you could go inside one part to access the kitchen where tea and buns were served. Newburgh Priory belongs to the Wombwell family and is marketed as a high class wedding venue with limited public access (but worth while). To get to the kitchen (and the toilets) you went across the servant's hall, a long narrow, panelled room, with every part of the panelling covered with carved names. Absolutely fascinating. A true historical document of those who had worked at Newburgh Priory. The row of bells is at ceiling height, so they had to stand on something to carve initials and names this high. Some have dates, here John Hallewell arrived in 1809 but left in 1810. With him Edmund Hallewell also arrived in 1810, and I can't quite make out when he left. To the left of Edmund's names is H Coape who arrived in 1772 and left in 1774. The hall was very dark and the flash on the camera highlighted some names but obscured others. I would love to know if anyone has transcribed all the names and initials. There are pieces of furniture with carving, and some have been added to by the bearers of penknives. These are hunting scenes, and the carving on the right of two hounds tearing apart some creature, has tulips and a rose added! One piece of art added to by another artist. Some of this graffiti is very old, at the bottom of this picture there are the numbes 167, and the dates continued up to the 1800s. Sometimes graffiti can be controversial. This is Richmond Castle (photo from Yorkshire Post) and the block at the base of the keep contains the cells where Conscientious Objectors were kept prisoner. The walls of the cells are covered in grafitti, and at the time these were being publicised I worked as a volunteer at the local regimental museum. There were high feelings and objections voiced against these being made public when so many had lost their lives in the First World War, and a friend in Richmond was most indignant that these were a shame and stain on Richmond when her own father had fought and been severely wounded in that war. Even after such a span of time some called the Conscientious Objectors cowards. But those imprisoned had a valid point of view, and the first time I saw the graffiti on the cell walls tears just fell down my cheeks. You can see them on a virtual tour of the cells. Freedom of belief and the right to express personal views should be treated with respect, and here these views are written on cell walls. You can read the graffiti on the cell walls in a virtual tour on the English heritage website for Richmond Castle. Some of the prisoners were Quakers and expressed their deeply felt Christian belief. Sometimes what begins as graffiti becomes art or a political statement, and even part of a cultural tour. Thankfully "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland are behind us, but the murals which were painted to express the deeply held views on both sides have remained, some have been repainted and renewed and some adapted to follow more recent political events. The mural above depicts people being evicted from their home. Believe it or not this mural has also attracted controversy. I will say straight away that I like it, it makes me smile and I know the artist. It is on the end of a property at the bottom of Richmond Market Place, and evidently the Town Council wanted it removed because it is in a Conservation Area of listed buildings. Common sense prevailed and it is being allowed to remain. Being familiar with murals on houses in southern Germany and Switzerland, I think such art can enhance an area. The most famous wall artist must be Banksy. This is Balloon Girl, next to her the writing says "There is always Hope". Banksy says "Graffiti has always been a temporary art form. You make your mark then scrub it off". However, his art now makes large amounts of money. Do they take the wall down when they sell it ???? On my walk between York City and daughter's house I walk along an old railway line which is now a footpath and cycle path. I go under two road tunnels, both decorated. But even since I took these photographs more art work has been added over the top of these images. The murals are constantly changing and evolving. Are they vandalism or art? What do you think? I actually think they brighten up the walk. Can derelict railway architecture offer opportunities for art? Another old railway line is now a footpath and cycleway between York and Selby. Where the railway crossed the River Ouse at Naburn the bridge is now used for both poetry, sculpture and art. This reads - In York the rivers in spate ride bicycles of water through the streets and words telling old tales under the passing sky rain oiling their spoken wheels sanding the shores with leavings and goings. York flat as an aerodrome / Perfect for cycling, for recycling for upcycling Soon everyone will ride a bike and soon the cars will be abandoned rusting in the park & rides at the edges of the old city. Heaven Recycled. Cycle Heaven. Robert Powell. "RiverRain" More has been added. A very clever sculpture of a person fishing with his cat. The long established habit of carving your initials on your wooden school desk lid with you pen nib has gone. No pen nibs and no wooden desks. The spray can of paint has taken over and there is a fine line indeed between what is acceptable and what is seen as criminal activity. Hard to make out, but on the top of this gate post in a field near Nunnington TK and SK felt obliged to leave their mark. A very ancient piece of graffiti on the wall of the King's Manor in York, but I have learnt that there was once a school in this building so it may date from then, there is a date next to A.L. which is 185... and above it July. Not very good to see, but an old quarry in Wensleydale where every rock face was covered in graffiti. What was I doing in an old quarry in Wensleydale, you may well ask! I was NOT adding my initials. All around Lake Gormire near Sutton Bank above Thirsk intials have been left on trees and rocks. They follow a rich tradition which can take us back to the Catacombs in Rome and to the dawn of human existence and cave dwellers. Here the famous hand from Chauvet Cave in France. The cave was decorated sometime about 30,000 B.C. Our desire to leave a mark of our existence, thoughts, beliefs and creativity has a very long history indeed.
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AuthorThis is where you can share creativity with me. I believe that everyone has something creative within them, and it is a joy to find ways of being creative. Blogging is NEW to me, so here goes ..... Archives
January 2024
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