Glastonbury Street Art - is it good or bad for our town?

By glastopeep | Monday, February 20, 2012, 19:37

Following on from my article concerning graffiti yesterday, I have noticed that there is plenty of street art around Glastonbury area, and while this is loved by some for its creativity it is detested by others who think it detracts from the natural beauty of the town.

Is it art?

The most famous piece of art here was of a policeman frisking a girl which was created by Banksy in Chilkwell Street near the Rifleman's in 2008, although this was subsequently painted over and soon replaced by a depiction of Jay Zeavis.

Glastonbury Football Club's Abbey Moor Stadium is also home to a large work of art depicting three police officers wearing body armour and riot shields preparing to charge while a young girl in an England football shirt holding a football runs away from them. This was originally also thought by some to also be the work of Banksy, but was quickly dismissed as being a copycat piece.

In the centre of town on the wall of the Cancer Research shop, opposite St John's Church, graffiti street artist Stik has designed a mural featuring 3 large black and white stick figures on a bright yellow background which seem well liked, although the artist had to redo his work shortly after it originally appeared as it was defaced and the council subsequently whitewashed it.

In the town itself there are also colourful murals on the front of the Hawthorns Hotel; the Unit 7 Shop and on the wall of the Globe Public House, while just out of town on the Wells Relief Road the Lowerside Underpass was given a make-over a year or so ago by a group of young people in conjunction with the Somerset Youth Volunteering network who covered the unsightly graffiti with a whole range of colourful and artistic designs. Meanwhile, pupils at St. Dunstan's School (the victim of the piece of obscene graffiti that appeared at the weekend) also has some colourful murals designed by pupils.

What is your opinion of street art? Do you think it is a good thing or does it encourage graffiti and unsightly scrawling? Let us know below.

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Comments

Yes that may be a step too far - unless they are saucy seaside designs. The Abbey Mews would be an ideal location; would brighten it up no end!

By VictorMildew at 10:00 on 01/03/12
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Lets hope we don't have a sex shop then Victor. Could be very interesting.

By sexualdevil at 22:20 on 29/02/12
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Hmm, Mikesey (?)

You approve of Banksy (who I assume did not get permission to paint the wall in Chilkwell Street), yet you disapprove of the shopkeepers who try to spruce up their tired old buildings and I assume have the permission of their landlords. Look at the old Zapps shop opposite the Fruit and Veg shop - it is an eyesore; has been closed for ages and does nothing for the town's image. The painting on the veg shop may be slightly naive in its design, but at least it looks inviting now.

I took some photos of both earlier today: http://tinyurl.com/6n3s84q

By VictorMildew at 17:14 on 29/02/12
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Victor Mildew (!)
I am sorry, but I cannot see that sort of juvenile rubbish is appropriate in our small town.
People come here to see the Ancient abbey; the Tor and Chalice well, not to see the place painted up like New York City or a stinking London suburb.

I think it time that the Town and district councils and the Glastonbury Conservation Society got involved and called a big halt to all this defacement.
IT is NOT appropriate here.

By mikesey at 11:09 on 29/02/12
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I see the Fruit and Veg shop in Benedict Street was having its frontage decorated in a lovely bright mural this afternoon. Can't wait to see it when it is finished.

By VictorMildew at 21:56 on 28/02/12
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