As threatened, here’s another set of snaps from a recent walk around the neighbourhood, traversing the length-and-breadth of Penge and as far as Anerley and the borders of Beckenham. Shops, garages, car parks, alleyways, hoardings…nowhere escapes the spray can in our enclave of south-east London.
Seriously considering handing over the front of our house. These pieces bring me so much joy!
Nine months of enjoying Penge’s vibrant street art scene, and I’m still discovering new works all the time. These shots are from a recent amble. I found so many good ‘uns that there’ll be another post hot on this one’s heels…
As well as enjoying the murals, I’ve been making regular use of Alexandra Rec as part of my new jogging route, and taking the short train journey to my favourite reading spot in Brockwell Park’s walled garden. The last couple of months have been focused on taking more time for relaxation, mindfulness and quiet. Trying to be present. Trying to avoid the incessant noise and the tyranny of choice that comes with every decision. It’s a work-in-progress. But turning my phone off and strolling the streets with my camera is part of this renewed effort – and I couldn’t think of a better place to do it…
After a stressful 6 months, we finally moved into our new pad: a little terraced house in glorious Pengé-a-la-mer (or Penge, for the uninitiated). We already love it here – it’s got such a great community vibe, our neighbours are great, and we’re a stone’s throw from the dinosaurs in Crystal Palace Park (who wouldn’t covet that!). There’s a well-stocked deli, lots of craft beer bars, proper high street Christmas lights, corner shops where we know the owners’ names, parakeets in the trees, and a weekly food market. Of course, there are downsides too….but I struggle to think of them right now.
The best thing is that Penge is the street art capital of the world*. Over 1,150 artworks have been placed around SE20 over the last seven years, and at any one time there are over 400 to see. It takes 4-5 hours to get round them all! I’m in heaven.
I’ll be making regular photo dumps of the new ‘hood over the coming year, starting with these beauties…
*unverified
Whilst on holiday in Sardinia earlier this year, I spent a day in the fascinating town of Orgosolo. For many hundreds of years, this bandit town – hidden high in the hills of the Nuoro region – was a place to hide the kidnapped and elude the authorities. It would have remained an isolated and ignored hamlet, were it not for its inhabitants’ spirit of resistance and the artistic flair of a local teacher.
In the late ’60s, having successfully resisted the military’s plan to create a base on common land used by shepherds, a group of local political anarchists created a mural in the town commemorating the event. Francesco Del Casino, a local art teacher and communist, worked with disadvantaged youths to turn this isolated piece of art into a trend. Throughout the ’70s and ’80s, huge cubist graphics were created throughout the town – on walls and gates, window shutters and rocks – recounting a host of global social injustices, from Vietnam to Gaza, or calling for Sardinian independence.
The brightly coloured paintings and frescoes have been well-preserved, and artists now travel from across the globe to contribute to the spectacle. Some tell the story of the province’s customs and traditions, the rural way of life; others continue the anti-establishment, socio-political themes of the early works.
To see every mural (there are ~150) would take several hours, but you can pick up a map in the small central town square that helps you navigate the main streets and includes informative descriptions of over 70 works. Here are photos of a few of my favourites…
Back in the heady days of summer 2020, when for a brief few weeks we could visit the city centre again… God, I miss London. So near, and yet so far. Would it be wrong to steal a couple of vials of the vaccine? Worth more than gold.
We all had such high hopes for 2021. Right now, I could forego a holiday; I don’t need exotic climes. I’d take the opportunity to meet with those I love…in a noisy pub…to hug and laugh and breathe each other’s air. Without fear.
It got hotter and hotter, sunnier and sunnier. And then, randomly, there was a day of hailstones. Some thunder and lightening. A week of thick grey cloud. It started to feel as though the weather was as confused as the nation. Lockdown continued interminably… but with some relaxations, allowing friends living close enough to meet in the park. We even managed a couple of picnics. Amazing how such simple pleasures could feel so exciting; illicit, even, and to be treasured, never again taken for granted.
But whilst things started to turn a corner on Covid, a much more insidious and enduring pandemic raised its head. The season ended with a series of marches and protests under the banner of Black Lives Matter, following the murder of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis. 2020 certainly won’t be forgotten easily. Whether it turns out to be a pivotal year for equality and sets the world on a brighter, fairer path, only time will tell. But we can hope, and listen, and learn, and be hungry for change.
Just as we can hope and agitate for positive outcomes across a range of other topics following this period of enforced reflection: whether that be on environmental matters, world politics, or our own working practices and life priorities. Good things need to emerge from the ashes.
But back to prosaic matters. We’re now able to drive – or Paul is (the DVLA is likely to object if I try!) – so can finally get beyond Brixton’s borders. Roll on summer…
Forbidden Bridge
Buzzin’
Black Lives Matter Plaza (Credit: Washington Post)
Love Bug
Stik and Mini-Stik
Celebrating Together
Glorious Weeds
Second Home
Lockdown Dessert League
Born to Reign Over Us
Appreciation (Credit: Alex Badrick)
Almost Perfect
And so the weeks and months rolled on… Happily, April and May brought lots of sunny days. And Paul and I got very competitive with our ‘Lockdown Food League’, so very many nice meals were consumed. We got a delivery of wine; I finally learned how to keep a sourdough starter alive (and produced several pleasingly well-risen loaves); my running times improved; the nation carried on clapping weekly for NHS staff and key workers; and stunning flowers bloomed everywhere.
Less positively, the £30 yoga mat has only had two outings in 10 weeks. But you can only have so many lockdown projects at once, right?!
Day of the Triffids
Orchids Rule
True Dat (Credit: Alex Badrick)
Short-Stay Aliums
Squatters Rights
What You Looking At?
Crystal
Phlegm in ED
Lockdown Food League #1
Sunshine in Bloom
Stamen Envy II
Brighten My Journey
No Bowls
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