Mrs B's Art Class 1993 (ish). Age 16
It's strange isn't it how sometimes only the negative memories remain. Your subconscious clings to the energy of the things that hurt the deepest. Especially when it's related to the thing that is your all consuming passion. The thing that you've made your 'i'll do it until the day i die' promise to.
- You'll never be an A grade Art student.
- I don't think you're good enough to get on to an art degree course at uni.
- You've not really followed the brief have you?
- It's 'OK', but it's nothing spectacular.
- Look at 'insert name here'. That's what you should be doing.
When I was a nipper (well, considerably younger than i am now!) I was taught the 'cut and paste' way to do art. There's a still life, you have an hour to draw it. Draw a self portrait. Research the history of Micheal Angelo and make your own piece of work related to that. Do a collage of this bunch of flowers.
Now, i'm not disputing in any way that these aren't valid or important things to be teaching or learning about in the creative field. They absolutely are... but I found it so utterly boring. I just didn't vibe with it at all. I knew I loved art. I knew I loved doing anything remotely creative. I knew I loved colour. But i'd become handcuffed into the mundane cycle of standard art education. My inspiration was waning...there must be something more exciting than this.
And then a chance encounter with a book in the school library changed EVERYTHING!
On The Stuffy Shelf
Now a school library is not the place that I would've expected to find the thing that would change the whole course of my creative thinking. Imagine being a student, running your hand along the row of art history textbooks. Feeling uninspired and unenthusiastic. This was my reality until one day I stumbled upon a book that seemed completely out of place. Suddenly, a whole new world of vibrant art and free expression opened up right before my eyes.
This book was Subway Art by Martha Cooper & Henry Chalfont
A New Obsession
I didn't really know that much about graffiti art. This book quickly became more than just a passing interest - it became almost an obsession. I had that little baby booked out on REPEAT! The school library's ink pad was on FIRE! From memory, I think that I was eventually banned from loaning it for a while to let others have a chance to look at it!
The bold designs, vibrant colours, and rebellious spirit of this art form captured my interest, imagination and heart in a way that traditional art never had. I would sit for ages, pouring over the pages. Just staring at it in awe of how this work was made. How? It was on actual trains running the lines of the New York subway. How did it get there??!! Who were the mysterious artists who made it?
Exploring Street Art
There were communities of artists out there using the city as their canvas, turning drab walls into vibrant masterpieces. This was absolutely mind blowing and utterly fascinating to me. So many styles and techniques. Tagging, Wildstyle, Throw-ups. And it was happening all around the world. It was all so big and seemed so dangerous. This was being done in train yards in the dead of night. My teenage head just couldn't understand it at the time which i think is why it was so mesmerising.
Embracing Free Expression
So this was it. My 'get out of boring humdrum art' card. It was played perfectly to me and at just the right time. My enthusiasm and energy for creating art quickly soared again. The spark was lit and I continued into higher education passing all my Art courses with either merits or distinctions. A shocker for me at the time! I can honestly say it was down to this book!
It's Now Part Of My Art Soul
And there it has firmly remained. My passion for street art. Many a happy afternoon has been (and still is) spent in Shoreditch. Wandering the streets for my graffiti fix. My spray paint high (not in the literal sense)! It's such a wonderful way to get myself re inspired and energised. I get excited each time i visit. It's my arty drug of choice.
Now... you won't find me with my spray cans trying to do anything crazy anywhere. I've never tried to replicate or do it myself (although i'd love to have a go).....but it does significantly have an influence on my art.
I love the tactile layers of paint, papers, posters and stickers that mingle and merge together as new art is created over old. Things that don't necessarily go together. The juxtaposition. So many of these amazing works are fleeting. Lost under the tagging and new work of others. I always wonder how many beautiful creations are hidden on the walls that I pass by. That's what I find so fascinating. What lies beneath it all. What are all the individual stories and feelings hidden and buried deeply on the walls? There's a mystery to what it all means. We'll never know the answers to it. And I love that.
So, if you ever find yourself feeling stuck in a creative drought. Remember that inspiration can come from the most unexpected places. Keep an open mind, open eyes, explore new art forms, and never be afraid to break free from the norm. Who knows what new vibrant world of creativity you might discover?
And the book?........I now have my own copy that has pride of place on my bookshelf
You can also watch more about it here in the film Style Wars.
