Wall Art
I find it fascinating that in times of civil and political unrest in the Canary Islands, the people look inwards towards their Guanche heritage. These ancient and fundamental origins that the indigenous population have been at great pains to conceal since medieval times are now emerging again in their expression of discontent at the contemporary economic and political climate in 21st century Spain.
Walls have been the canvas for creative expression since the beginning of time. I have observed that the fever of creative expression seems to escalate in direct relation to the suppression and suffering of the people. My incidental monitoring of the walls of Lanzarote indicate a fairly modest and low level of discontent.
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On a recent visit to the ancient Venetian port of Chania in Crete, I was able to observe a heightened outpouring of expression on the dilapidated walls of the old harbour area, which spoke of the reactive tension to the miserably failing Greek economy. This seemed particularly poignant in Chania, which was once a thriving port of high political and economic importance in the Mediterranean. When all else is squeezed out of the people, perhaps our creative voice is the only thing we have left to retaliate with.
A walk with my camera through the narrow alleys around the harbour was very fruitful and has given me much inspiration for a body of work on walls.
Some of these images were taken in Chania and some in the Bronze Age settlement of Knossos. I wonder if you can tell which ones?
Walls have been the canvas for creative expression since the beginning of time. I have observed that the fever of creative expression seems to escalate in direct relation to the suppression and suffering of the people. My incidental monitoring of the walls of Lanzarote indicate a fairly modest and low level of discontent.
.
On a recent visit to the ancient Venetian port of Chania in Crete, I was able to observe a heightened outpouring of expression on the dilapidated walls of the old harbour area, which spoke of the reactive tension to the miserably failing Greek economy. This seemed particularly poignant in Chania, which was once a thriving port of high political and economic importance in the Mediterranean. When all else is squeezed out of the people, perhaps our creative voice is the only thing we have left to retaliate with.
A walk with my camera through the narrow alleys around the harbour was very fruitful and has given me much inspiration for a body of work on walls.
Some of these images were taken in Chania and some in the Bronze Age settlement of Knossos. I wonder if you can tell which ones?
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