Art That Stops TrafficBy Sandra Murphy

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What is street art?• It an art form in its own right.

• This image above of a protester throwing a bouquet of flowers is one of Banksy’s most iconic works.

• ‘Anything on the wall that isn’t graffiti’

• Street art has become an integral element of contemporary art.

Writing on the wall for capital: Dublin Canvas

About 50 of the city’s 190 traffic light boxes, once covered with graffiti, are now suitable for framing.

Dublin Canvas is now actively seeking submissions of artwork for an additional 85 boxes for the Summer of 2016 boxes.

‘Box Blues’ by Shalom

ChiaveriniThe artwork by the Brazilian street artist is based on the

blues, with portraits of musicians Muddy Waters

and Ray Charles.

‘R2’ by MorganThe acclaimed artist’s pitch for the box was "It would just look great, the boxes are like abandoned robots anyway."

Robert Emmet and Sarah Curran by

Hugh MaddenThis piece shows the lovers

sending and receiving letters which turns the traffic box into a

circle. The Front Panel has Robert conspiring with his fellow

revolutionaries. The Side Panels show

housekeeper Anne Devlin passing the letters between them

Making the banal pretty

• Dublin Canvas began as a tiny experiment to beautify the unsightly boxes that control traffic signals around the city.

• It has become an unexpectedly impressive public art collection, transforming drab streetscapes into outdoor galleries

Dublin Canvas Gallery • The sites are distributed between Baggot Street, Camden Steet and the Rathmines area.

• Multiculturalism by James O’Brien is located in Aran Quay

Muintir na Cathrach by Katie Lyons

“Sometimes it’s easy to go about your day

without really seeing life around us. This piece

celebrates the faces that surround us daily and create our city’s unique character.”

‘Standpoint’ by Larissa TamayoshiThis was based on the ‘lack of logic’ in the Surrealism

Movement.

‘I’m sticking with you’ Ruan

van Vliet“Cities can sometimes be

stifling, claustrophobic places so it’s important to

look out for one another and lend a hand whenever it’s

needed.”

–Dave Murtagh, Project Co-Ordinator of Dublin Canvas

“Dublin Canvas is an idea, a project intended to bring flashes of colour and creativity to

everydayobjects in the city.

Less grey, more play.”

‘Música on the Box'’ by Shalom

ChiaverinImages of Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton were created using a hand cut stencil

technique with a mosaic and triangle pattern.

“This is for everybody  who have the music as a big part

of their lives.”

BatterBricks by Cathal McCoyAll four faces of the box reflect the old, familiar brickwork pattern representing the

diverse mix of young people living in the old, attractive ‘inner city suburb’ of Stoneybatter.

Poppy Corner by Donna McGee

Street Art Vs. Grafitti

• !Incorporates environment

• !Humour and social commentary

• Public/private audience

• Goes over environment

• Self promotion

• Mostly spray paint on concrete

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Perception of street art has changed

• Two decades ago, it was regarded as little more than vandalism.

• Now spray paint on a wall is seen as the catalyst for a spate of regeneration, and even gentrification, in different cities all over the world

Street artist Banksy spray-paints message on wall beside Regent's canal in London

BANKSY

The identity of Banksy, a graffiti artist who has risen to superstar status over the past 20 years, is

still unknown to the general public.

Banksy's philosophy that art can exist outside of traditional venues like museums, galleries, or displays in people's homes. It

can be found anywhere in our busy world.

Public opinion

Banksy's works sell for up to €500,000, though critics say his, however skilfully executed, should be classed as vandalism.

Fans include Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who commissioned a mural four years ago for their private gallery at their estate in the south of France

‘Banksy Effect’

ARTIST Fin DAC

• Fun Lovin’ Criminals

• Frank & Walters

• Netflix Autographer’s Behind the Scenes video series

Signature style• His trademark work can be seen all over the

world from LA to Venice.

• Work outside the Kino cinema in Cork and an arrangement of women faces on a outer wall of the Gibson Hotel in Dublin

• Unlike Banksy, Fin doesn't use stencils but instead does a quick sketch and then paints the whole thing free hand - and we know who he is!

Political message The striking depicts a maid who cleaned the artist's room in a motel in Los Angeles. The piece, commissioned by Bono, intended to represent a metaphor for the west's

reluctance to tackle issues such as Aids in Africa.

• THE END • THANK YOU!