THE WRITING’S ON THE WALL by James May
CITY LIVING JUST wouldn’t be the same. I’ve got a special place in my heart for graffiti. It speaks to me,
thrills me, fascinates me, but
I can’t do it for quids. I can’t paint or draw to save myself for one thing. I’m too much of a nervous nelly, not quick enough on my feet. I’m too old to roam the streets under the cover of darkness, scribbling kooky pictures and angsty words by train tracks and freeways. I don’t know how to handle a can of spray paint either, but I’m glad someone does. What I love most are cryptic messages
that catch me off guard – unexpected surprises that mirror my thoughts or challenge my worldview; words that make me chuckle and wonder or stop and think twice. Like the stop sign at the end of my street that sports the words NEVER GIVE UP. It always gives me a buzz when I trudge off for another long day. Thought-provoking messages that spring to mind if I’m down on my luck – WHEN YOU’RE GOING THROUGH HELL ... JUST KEEP GOING and DON’T BE AFRAID OF SADNESS THAT WILL SET YOU FREE. I see big rosy love hearts on the bus
shelter when I’m cursing under my breath, and I’m all tickled pink. And a poignant message etched on a wall by a local café – WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. It reminds me to be more open, tolerant – less selfish, ignorant. It lifts my spirits when I feel completely alone, sitting among strangers,
lost in my own troubles. I feel tuned in, connected, like someone understands. Something’s watching over us, drawing us together, despite our differences. There’s a gem I saw one foggy morning
on the side of a Country Road store – THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE AREN’T THINGS. And the heartfelt LOVE IS THE ONLY REALITY in big bold colours at the train station. I often see it when I’m coming home, jostling for space, a bunch of commuters smacking each other in the face with newspapers. When it seems like the world’s falling apart and wars, murders and natural disasters flood the airwaves, graffiti breathes warmth into my heart, a touch of magic into my world. When my mind’s going over and over a
problem like a broken record, I see EVOLVE ALREADY penned in the subway and it snaps me right out of it. It reminds me to stay present, let go of fears and doubts. It makes me try a little harder; reminds me what I’m here for. Graffiti adds a splash of colour, intrigue
– a touch of flair in what can sometimes be a barren concrete jungle. It’s a part of the city landscape; it brings it to life. It’s rebellious, political – a means of communication, a way to let off steam. It gives the streets character, charm. I can’t believe how talented some rascals are. To me, graffiti is a valid form of expression – creative, innovative, something that should be admired and preserved.
06 july 2012
Photograph by Emma Stephens
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