Street Art or Graffiti?

The line between graffiti and street art has become blurred. Prior to 2011, when we saw the film Exit through the Gift Shop, at the Tromsø International Film Festival in Norway, directed by and often about the 'tagging/graffiti artist', Banksy, I hated any kind of tagging and graffiti. Run-of-the-mill layers of amateurish squiggles and bad calligraphy is pointless, ugly, anti-social and a blight on the landscape, especially when it defaces a beautiful building, or, structure. However, after being introduced to some of the images in the film, I can now see beauty, or, at least interest in some of the images, especially when they enhance an ugly, ordinary building or location.

Bristol is Banksy's hometown and there are still some of his original works on view here. This is his take on Vermeer's classic 'Girl with a Pearl Earring'. Notice the burglar alarm casing in place of the earring! This image definitely livens up the wall at the end of an alley where wheelie-bins are stored behind some low-rise industrial buildings.




This is another classic Banksy, variously titled 'The Naked Man', or, 'Well Hung Lover'.  When it was first completed, in 2006, it raised a local controversy. The council decided to survey the residents to see whether it should be allowed to stay. 97% voted in favour. Unfortunately, another 'artist' has defaced the work with blue paint.




I don't think this charming piece is a Banksy, but, it's delightful nonetheless.




Bristol street art is not all about Banksy and paintings, there are many other examples. We came across this fabulous sign/sculpture in the middle of a row of run-down storefronts. We have no idea why it's where it is, maybe there was an old feed store, or, pet food store in the premises underneath? Look closely to see the four rabbits (underneath the five parrots!)

Just around the corner from the above sign, this sad-looking figure adorned the ledge atop a residential doorway.

Sometimes, the best pieces are located on the top of buildings. This stunning unicorn is one of two on the top of the Bristol Council Office building.

Even public memorials are beautifully rendered.

This caught our eye on a recent trip to Weston-Super-Mare, UK.

These murals aren't even in the UK, they're in Astoria, Oregon, USA, but, I haven't published these photos before so here they are...lovely...