G is for GraffitiNormally, graffiti annoys me. It's nothing to do with entering my 40s: I've always been a grouch on this one.
And the writer/artist can't win: if it's scruffy, spelt wrong or rude, I think those responsible should go home and read a few books. If it's artistic, neat and original, I think "Why can't they use that talent somewhere else?"
It's rare that I actually feel any admiration for it. Banksy is an exception (click link for a blog that has some of his stuff on display).
But then came lots of followers, imitaters. It all got very samey, this 'street art', and entered it's own arena of annoyance.
-I do worry that I sound like my father when I moan about such things.
But then I saw this.....
This piece of graffiti (a graffito, I'm told) appeared not far from my home about a month ago. It made me smile..................
"Thanks for my birthday card Lucy, all my love, hugs and kisses, Thinking of you every day, Dad xxx"
It made me ask lots of questions....
- The writing looks like "typical female writing"- you know, neat and rounded. Yet it's apparently written by a man.
- Why did he leave a message here?
- Are he and his daughter's mum estranged?
- Is this his only way to get a message to Lucy?
- Does he live miles and miles away, and did he drive up in the night and leave this for her?
There are lots of possible stories behind this very human message. This is why this is a piece of graffiti that I actually enjoy walking past. It makes me smile. It makes me think.
No fancy lettering, colouring or slogans. Plain and simple. Unflashy and "uncool". But it grabs my attention every time.I hope Lucy saw it.
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Wow.....this is a GREAT G post!! How neat for a father to have written that to his daughter! Wow....it's got me thinking too!!
ReplyDeleteGrafitti annoys me too,but a good idea for a G-post:o)
ReplyDeleteOoooooooooh! Loved this! What fantastic imaginative images.
ReplyDeleteI too, hope Lucy saw this.
What a great looking graffiti, this are all pieces of art...
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day:)
Greetings from JoAnn /Holland
Please visit my G for ABC wednesday
Fantastic choice for the letter G and great photos. I love this:)
ReplyDeleteLot`s of blessings in this Grafitti! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story! You are so right, lots of scope for thought there.
ReplyDeleteBy the way - our car lives outside, too. According to our boys, it's only bikes that need shelter!
What a very creative G post. You made me wonder too about the sign. I also wonder if Lucy wrote it to herself from her dad wishing she'd hear from him in this loving way...
ReplyDeleteInteresting .. Never saw a grafitto before ..
ReplyDeleteGreat story and pictures for G.
ReplyDeleteHi Helena!
ReplyDeleteLike you I don't care for grafitti, same stream of thought about the so called artist as yours.
But agree this one is intreging.
It makes a great G.
Best wishes
Blue
I too am annoyed with graffiti but this is definitely worth reading
ReplyDeleteMy husband really don't like grafitti. He is a custodian;)
ReplyDeleteWhen I am out walking on our pathway I pass a crude sign that says: "I miss my kids Deanna!! Text msg".
ReplyDeleteAnd I wonder.
Very beautiful the photographs in post.
ReplyDeleteBut also your reflections, and these reasonable and human!
Great G post.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting me :-)
My Guinness Dark Ruby is from Davy Byrnes Pub in Dublin.
ReplyDeleteand to be honest:
I do not like Graffiti
I see that you like Robert Graves and mysteries....like me! Good one for G day!
ReplyDeleteGrafitti is a good G post but I really rather not see in on insult buildings and nature.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting graffiti. One of my choices is also graffiti but it was art graffiti done on purpose on a train trestle bridge.
ReplyDeleteI don't usually like graffiti either, but there have been some that I do like. Great post.
ReplyDeleteMakes me wonder too. I like the last picture the best.
ReplyDeleteReally thought out this post for G in ABC. Great idea.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this post of G thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteI hope Lucy saw it too. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice post, thanks for sharing.:)
ReplyDeleteI've never seen such loving graffito sentiments. It's a little strange for a father marking up up a wall like that. I hope you solve the mystery. Also, thanks for visiting my blog and posting a comment.
ReplyDeleteI do hope Lucy saw it, too.
ReplyDeleteI, too, hope Lucy saw this. Has it stayed pure, or been messed over?
ReplyDeleteOh, I so hope that Lucy saw this. Thanks for finding it and sharing it.
ReplyDeletesupergreat G.photos!
ReplyDeleteNice ones...lovely!
ReplyDeleteThat's a different slant on graffiti; great G post
ReplyDeleteThe writing is that of a young woman,i'd say, regardless of the content of the message. Maybe Lucy's dad got someone to write it for him? Could Lucy have a sister?
ReplyDeleteA very good idea !Artistic pictures !
ReplyDeleteMiss yves
Jan,
ReplyDeleteNo it hasn't been messed over, which also is surprising! I took the photo's yesterday morning- in a panic cos I couldn't think of what to do for "G" (LOL).
I like your g! Quite creative!
ReplyDeleteTerrific post. Usually grafitti bugs me too but there must be a story to this one. Thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteOh I hope she saw it!
ReplyDeleteMakes you think out self-expression.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great G Helena - we've had our own graffiti artist in action over here too! Did you see that Banksy's struck in London again this week?
ReplyDeleteSorry it's taken a while to get back to you after ABC, but I've been ill this week.
What a wonderful post and what a wonderful way to bring it to our attention, Helena.
ReplyDeleteWe're so blessed to have you in our midst.
Wow, I hope Lucy saw it too. What a beautiful message and left for all to see his love for a very lucky girl.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, came via David.
Crystal Jigsaw x
Graffiti n. institutionally illicit marks in a coherent composition designed to be seen by the public
ReplyDeleteGraffito n. pl. a collection of institutionally illicit marks in a coherent composition designed to be seen by the public
Having lived in Las Vegas, I have seen many types of graffiti, including some I had to have removed from the driver's door of my own car. Some of it I appreciate more than others.
The piece of graffiti you've shared is very moving and thought provoking -- that's a trait I enjoy in my art -- but, thanks to my personal experience, I find myself wondering, Whose wall is it? To think it is his own gives this art one meaning, and to think it is his ex-wife's gives it another ....
I love graffiti, so finding this via David's blog was a special treat for me today.
ReplyDeleteWhat a different way to look at things! Thank you for posting this. I too do not like graffiti but like some of Banksy's work and wonder why he has to do it on a wall...
ReplyDeleteBut this... almost feels, well, heartbreaking. A 'desperately seeking susan' moment. Then quilly's comment above made me think again too...
Intriguing. Over from David's btw.
Very interesting - makes one definitely think..
ReplyDeletebtw - David sent me.