This is the text of an article just published in Sharrow Today – our local community newspaper, apparently with 7,500 copies a month out there!
I know it’s a bit parochial for a blog with global following (!) but it lets me easily keep up my reputation for not blogging for ages and then shoving out a couple in quick succession. I was quite chuffed (ie pleased – another bit of local wotnot for you there) that this survived with minimal editing – thanks Mark.
Scrubbing up well
We’ve all heard Sharrow described in terms such as “lovable but scruffy” or “friendly but tired” – there’s always a “but”. And of course, London Road is that rather plain cousin of the glampuss Ecclesall Road isn’t it? These are shallow characterisations – but easy conclusions to reach if what you know of Sharrow is formed by what you see as you pass through at speed (or not) on your way into or out of town.
Those of us who live in the area know well the beating heart / underbelly (delete as applicable) of life here. We know just how interesting and alive this place is and many of us stay here because we’ve found somewhere we love. We have a deeper understanding of Sharrow and, for us, it’s not first and foremost about looks but about what it’s like to live here and to be part of this diverse community.
So, nothing new there then – looks aren’t everything and don’t judge a book by its cover. Though… looking good does usually help with feeling good… and, no avoiding it, the scruffy and tired bits do detract from the great stuff going on here. We have an area rich in history, we have a wide variety of independent businesses, there’s great food of course, a fantastic new school building, some good open areas and excellent community groups and activities. These things aside, though, “cleaning up” has been highlighted by residents and businesses as one of the priorities for the area and articles in Sharrow Today about the recent Clean Up Day and graffiti cleaning kits show that between us we’re taking action and ready for more.
More art please
So, while we’re scrubbing off graffiti and painting street furniture with anti-scribble paint, I’d like to suggest that one thing that would enhance the area is more street art. Now, I’m choosing my words carefully – I said art and I mean art, not egotistic tagging and destructive scribbling. Art should bring something to its surroundings, which is why I think it could be good for Sharrow – improving what we have and developing the area’s distinctive character.
London Road in particular is known for some street art already and people from as far away as Crookes have been known to make special trips to enjoy new pieces. Street art can be the sort of thing we’ve seen already – generally large freehand spray-painted pieces – but it’s a rich seam which can include stenciled works, “paste-ups” or posters, sculpture, flags, ceramics and performance. Some may be intended as short-lived, some as more enduring but their very nature is ephemeral.
If street art adds something then, by definition, placement is important – and good artists can spend ages looking for the right place for a piece or dreaming up the right piece for the place. Look at the Kid Acne mural on the side of the Cremorne – it fits perfectly in terms of design and tones and has pulled together what was a shabby side street. The “right place” can also mean striking juxtaposition – usually to underline a message or emphasise an aesthetic element.
I don’t expect everyone to agree with me in this matter – and I know there are contentious and anomalous elements to the argument. Where should artists place their work? Should they ask permission? Should they just be commissioned pieces? How decide what to remove and what to leave? Is it OK to ‘enhance’ a site you’ve not had permission for? Would I want it on my wall? How do we ensure variety and quality? Should it be ‘nice’, edgy, make a statement?
Doesn’t street art mean run-down?
Recently when Tom Hine was painting the shutters at First Step Trust, over more than a week he had a marvelous reception from people of all ages and backgrounds. An older man asked when Tom would be finished so he could come back with his camera; people who couldn’t speak English put up their thumbs and grinned.
Street art can also have the advantage of discouraging tagging and vandalism. Look at how much better the hoardings on The Forge looked once the scribbles were replaced with something altogether on another level. Artist workshops with teenagers can move them on from tagging and defacing to creating meaningful work.
Street art doesn’t last – something the artists have to come to terms with. After all, in placing their work in the street they are immediately and generously giving it away. And then it will fade, be changed, added to, removed, replaced. It’s this ephemeral nature that I think means we can relax about encouraging more – the good stuff will literally come to the surface.
Shall we? Shan’t we?
By all means get your graffiti removal training but also – consider areas where street art would be a good addition. Businesses can your walls bring more to the area – either cleaned or as canvases?
The Graff Jam at Sharrow Festival again showed that there is talent in Sheffield and also that talented people will travel for an opportunity to show their work.
What do you think? We’ve got a good way of coordinating our views and aspirations in Sharrow Partnership and Sharrow Community Forum – I suggest you let them know.
0 Responses to “Street Gallery?”