Hi folks, I hope you are doing ok? This week we are meeting at the Enigma Tap, I hope you can join us.
This week I want us to think about public art, namely murals. Over the last few months North Shields has seen two new murals be created (see images), both by Prefab 77 (Pete Manning) they can be found round the corner from the Enigma Tap on the end of what used to be the Old Hundred on Albion Road, this is called ‘Siren’. The other adorns the wall of King Street Social Club, and is called ‘Angels Live In Our Town’. Both have been created in black and white and have added some vibrancy and talking points around the town. And there may be others being created in the months to come.
Now murals aren’t new of course and many cities around the world have created trails… If you go to Leeds you can do a Leeds United Mural trail, I know its niche! Glasgow has a trail. https://www.citycentremuraltrail.co.uk/ There are trails in London, Glastonbury, Bristol, Berlin, Derry, Copenhagen, to name a few.
As I have looked at the murals in North Shields over the last few weeks different things jump out at you depending on where you look and what is kind of going on in life. Right now the image that caught my attention was the skull in Angels Live in Our Town, not least because we are heading in to all souls/day of the dead celebrations. I think it’s also linked to last week’s blog when I reflected on death…
If you have time over the next few days why not go and take a look at them… They are impressive. I wonder what strikes you about these pieces of art?
The other thing that strikes me as I have reflected on these murals is the titles that have been given to them. ‘Siren’ comes out of Greek mythology and is a female human-like being who is supposed to be alluring and dangerous! As I read about Sirens it seems that they found their way into early Christian thought… Saint Jerome, who created a Latin version of the bible, used the word to translate jackals in Isaiah 13:22, and also owls in Jeremiah 50:39. Ambrose suggested that Sirens are allegory for worldly temptations!!
The other title I find really interesting is ‘Angels Live In Our Town’. I wonder what thoughts this conjures up for you? I love the idea that everyone we meet is an angel… as we meet people we are challenged to see the best in them… to imagine what people can be… I think in the midst of the world’s issues this is a powerful message for our time.
One of the other thoughts I have had is about Joy, the joy that comes with seeing something beautiful as we walk, and so i’m also reminded of the joy that we have given through the Christmas Angels project, they produced a moment of joy and wonder… I think that’s what public art does, it creates wonder and joy as we go about our lives. Interestingly if we considered each person as an angel… what a moment of wonder that could be for us, and so I think it also says something about the ‘divine spark’ within each one of us.
So some questions:
What has been the best public art you have encountered?
What do you think of this kind of mural public art?
What strikes you about the murals? What are you drawn to?
What do you think is going on by interpreting phrases like Jackal and Owl as sirens in the bible?
What comes to mind as you consider ‘Angels Live In Our Town’?
What moments of wonder or divine spark have you seen this week?
Images by Rob Wylie
Rob Wylie is the founder of BeachcomberFX and guides its leadership team. He has worked in the North East for over 20 years and has vast experience from various roles he has held. He has a passion for Fresh Expressions of Church and Pioneer Ministry as well as beer, beaches and Miniature Schnauzers.
