March 19th – In a dark, unlit tunnel under Spaghetti Junction, in the exact spot where, a year ago, Bill Drummond placed thousands of daffodils in jam jars under the skylight, he (or someone acting in his spirit) has left an important message Birmingham (and indeed all of us) should heed.
Brilliant. Just brilliant
October 5th – I returned to Brownhills from Pelsall over Ryders Mere and the old rail line. Dropping onto the canal just by the Pelsall Road, I notices two fresh pieces of street art by Voms on the inside parapets of the old rail bridge.
They’re competent, and well-excuted; I like them a lot. An interesting thing.
September 25th – I spotted this by change in Butlers Passage, Walsall. A dark, dingy alleyway, it’s not a pleasant place, and I normally scoot the bike through here to get on the road home if I’ve been in the town centre.
Today, I happened to glance left, and there was a beautifully executed partial stencil of Snow White apparently drinking coffee with a lad in a baseball hat.
I guess it’s a visual joke based on the Italian cafe a few yards to the right.
It’s beautifully executed, and seems to be by the same hand as the now erased ‘Class War’ stencil that was nearby until very recently. The art is confident yet cursory, and beautifully thought out.
A wonderful thing that brought a real smile to my face. My compliments to the artist.
September 5th – I’m rediscovering my love for Birmingham. It’s a great place. I spent time in Digbeth, and mooched around the fruit market and Chinese quarter.
Birmingham is vibrant, beautiful, and buzzing. If you know where to look.
May 20th – In Leicester today, I noticed this graffiti on a railway bridge. The original text says ‘Small minded vandals’ and some wag has added underneath ‘wearing socks with sandals’ – top marks though for the Anti-Nazi League stencil, and the remarkably detailed stencil of a woman on the capstones.
Graffiti can be a pain in the arse, but I do appreciate it if it’s creative, witty or makes its environment more interesting.
May 26th – On a bridge abutment in Moxley. A stencil. Can’t decide if it’s the new Doctor Who, or Alan Turing. I have no idea. Nicely done though.
Long shot, anyone know what this is about?
May 23rd – Cycling up Market Place, Walsall, early evening, I noticed this piece of graffiti on the buildings closed to make way for the Primark development. Painted from the canopy, you have to admire the tenacity.
I actually think it adds interest to an eyesore…
June 25th – Had to smile at this graffiti on a canal side wall in central Walsall today. Just by Bridgman Street bridge, it did seem oddly amusing. The hand looks familiar. Wonder who the wag is?
January 19th – I’ve been watching this piece of artwork develop under the bridge near Reservoir Place for a few days. First the wall was emulsioned matt black, then outlines appeared, and then filling in. Day by day, someone scuttles here and paints. The legend says ‘Welcome to Pleck’ and I have to admire the tenacity of the artist. He or she never leaves any rubbish, and it must take skill and planning to do that. And a sense of belonging. An interesting thing. Wonder if it’ll be finished when I next pass by?
December 15th – Hopping on the canal at Bridgman Street in Walsall today on the way to work, I noticed new graffiti – or at least, some I hadn’t noticed before – on the walkway wall. Someone has clearly been taking inspiration from Banksy, and having a go with stencils. As things go, I don’t mind these, as they’re attractive and interesting. I thought the cat and magpie were particularly well executed. I’m intrigued, though; a caped, make man, Marylin Monroe, a magpie and a cat. What do they have in common, if anything? I looked out for more, but didn’t spot any.
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