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Art or an eyesore?
12:45pm Wednesday 14th May 2008
Comments (4)An unusual mural has caused a stir in Streatham Hill, with one resident calling it an "eyesore".
The artwork, painted on the bridge between Drewstead Road and Sternhold Avenue, depicts silhouettes of young and elderly people walking, talking and feeding pidgeons.
"A perfectly nice area has been turned into slum and I intend to find out why."
Martin Francis
The venture was funded by Transport for London and carried out with Lambeth Council.
But while a council spokesman insisted the mural had evoked lots of positive feedback, resident Martin Francis called it a "monstrosity".
"If the intention is to create some sort of Banksy type art in the area then I can assure the council and TfL that this particular amateurish execution falls completely short of the mark, and only serves to make the area look scruffy," said Mr Francis, from Hannay Walk.
"Perhaps the motivation was to a create backdrop for young people in hoods to gather and drink cider on the bridge," he continued. "As someone who was jumped by such a gang only six months ago on that same spot, I strongly recommend against this.
"A perfectly nice area has been turned into slum and I intend to find out why."
The council spokesman said councillors had been consulted about the mural.
"Art is subjective and gets people talking," he said. "We've turned a tired, grey concrete wall into something attractive and interesting."
Your Say YourYour Local Guardian
trasie, mitcham says...
4:49pm Wed 14 May 08
carly, london says...
11:46am Thu 15 May 08
It looks different to the rest of the area & stands out.
I see it as an attempt to try & bring the community together & give people something different to look at other than the crappy high street- pardon my language.
It doesn't matter if the person in the article got mugged there, people get mugged all over the place & thugs are going to stand where ever they want regardless of a new mural on the wall.
I dont see the problem, its a painting that has taken a lot of effort to complete, I've seen the artist painting this many a time.
Joe Schneider, says...
11:37pm Mon 19 May 08
This mural celebrates the everyday life of Streatham High Road through painted silhouettes. It depicts people walking, shopping and going to work on the high road. It is my hope that it will make people look afresh at the 'familiar'.
From the feedback that I have received from local residents I feel that the piece has been a success. They have commented that it "improves the area", "makes their day", "Is simply beautiful" and "Just absolutely lovely!".
My genuine and honest intention was to create a strong, refreshing, considered piece of public art. Perhaps it is worth noting that Martin Francis appears to work for an advertising agency in North London hence I would question the authenticity of his motives for criticizing the mural.
The mural near Streatham Hill train station
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luke kennedy, Streatham Hill says...
3:00pm Wed 14 May 08