“Here will do”
Work in progress
Taking advantage of the fading Shoreditch light, these proto-vandals hijacked a small segment of the public visual canvas in support of a Greenpeace environmental campaign. Rainforests are being devastated across Papua in pursuit of increased palm oil production, the consequence is loss of wildlife habitat, collapse of biodiversity and displacement of communities.
Murals depicting images of the Birds Of Paradise have been painted by street artists in cities across the world including Tokyo, Geelong, Long Beach, Oakland, Berlin, Breda, Viena, Melbourne, Bondy, Wellington, Taipei and here in Shoreditch, London by Matt Sewell, below.
Wings Of Paradise by Matt Sewell
Wings Of Paradise by Matt Sewell (detail) – Bird Of Paradise
Wings Of Paradise by Matt Sewell (detail) – Forest Burning
Wings Of Paradise by Matt Sewell (detail) – Logging
This idea is to put up images of the Bird of Paradise replicating their colourful plumage, their flight and their life and thus to promote the conversation about the need for action to halt the eradication of their lands and habitat. You’re welcome.
Curiously the London campaign started with the Matt Sewell commissioned legal piece of artwork on the so called Shoreditch Art Wall but then Greenpeace supporters/activists extended the action with a flock of non permissioned paste ups on walls from Brick Lane to Old Street.
Art over flyposter adverts is always commendable but rarely long lived!
The stark geometric background adds bit of drama to this pair of Birds of Paradise.
Two separate teams were spotted in Shoreditch that Friday evening, pasting proficiency may have been variable but the important thing is getting the message up
The Greenpeace campaign appears to have taken wing as a vibrant Bird Of Paradise in Sell Out’s distinctive expressionist style was spotted on Brick Lane today, suggesting that other street artists are independently picking up on the campaign.
Sell Out
There is always room for campaigning political street art, particularly when it comes with a novel legal-illegal combo strategy and picks up momentum in such an unusual way. More importantly, its about contemplating the harm being wreaked in pursuit of palm oil production, time to act, time to look at palm oil consumption. More information on the Greenpeace website here
Links:
Greenpeace website
Matt Sewell website
Sell Out instagram
All photos: Dave Stuart
