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Feature: Late Night Ornithology - Banksy-spotting
Writer: Monica Runke
As a resident of Shoreditch for the past year, one of my favourite pastimes is what I call “twat spotting”. These creatures
are colourful, asymmetrical and thoroughly post-retro ironic. They are, on the whole, a good natured, creative and
entertaining bunch; they are also as common as pigeons in Trafalgar Square. It does not take a particularly keen eye to
spot a Hoxton Fin or a pair of Pink Legwarmers engaging in a mating dance in one of the area’s many watering holes. Indeed,
Shoreditch is one of London’s most melting of cultural hotpots, teaming with galleries, bars and clubs, its streets
throbbing with subversive activities, its inhabitants constantly pushing the edges and cutting the boundaries of modern
culture. A short walk around its mean streets and back alleys is as much of a visual adventure as a pub crawl could ever
be.
It was on one such late night stroll last Tuesday, emerging form the Mother Bar at about 3am, supping a beer and smoking
a fag, that I had one of the most exciting experiences I have had for a while. Walking up Old Street towards the Kingsland Road
intersection, deciding where to go next, I glanced up towards the bridge. I stopped dead in my tracks: could my eyes be
deceiving me? No, it was without doubt the one and only lesser-spotted Banksy! He was busy in action, paint and brush
furtively re-touching the visors of the row of riot police with smiley acid faces that adorns the side of the bridge. I
stepped sideways and leant into a doorway to watch. He moved with the speed and grace of a man under pressure. “Oi Banksy!”,
my drunken self shouted, “ I arrest you in the name of the law.” He stopped for an instant and looked down at me. He was
obviously unimpressed by my attempt at humour and swiftly returned to the job at hand, moving along the bridge applying the
strokes of white where necessary. Tidying up for Mayday.
I can’t be sure – I got there too late – but there was a large “JOY” in the middle of the riot police, which I’m pretty sure
hadn’t been there before. He did a bit more painting on that as well. And then he vanished.
It lasted all of 10 minutes, but as I saw his legs moving away through the gap in the bridge I was tempted to follow, down
the alleys and arches which run along the tracks at street level. I wanted to see more. I wanted to watch this rare and
inspired young man creating his pieces under the cover of night, adorning our walls and public spaces with his truly
original,
thought provoking, and humorous designs. I doubt I would have been able to keep up with him, this guy of average height
and build, with his short brown hair and stubbly beard. I would have loved to share my beer with him and have a chat about
the state of the nation and tell him how he puts a smile on my face every time I walk past one of his stencils on my
nighttime wildlife tours of East London. Oh yes, and I’d like to apologise for my terrible drunken attempt at a joke.
RELATED LINKS:
Banksy website
Summer's Day South Bank Art Adventure Know The Ledge piece featuring Banksy
PUBLISHED: Sunday 11 May 2003
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::: RELATED LINKS
Banksy website
Summer's Day South Bank Art Adventure
More Features
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