September 2024 marked 5 years of endless effort of long term friend and creative powerhouse Kim Von Coels to unite artists, wall owners and local business sponsors in order to fill Glastonbury town with diverse large scale public art.
Glastonbury of course has its own creative reputation as well as centuries of spiritual history, but within the small local population and its representative authority figures, it remains a conservative, rural and painfully protected society.
It turns out though, that 5 years is about what it takes to slowly change the mind of the people who don’t initially agree with a concept like a “Mural Trail”. Kim has battled relentless opposition, never ending negative social media comments and backlash, whilst staying consistent with her reply that art is subjective, each person responds to each piece in their own way, and it is never possible to please everyone.
Saying that, i also know that my “ easy listening” version of street art, as apposed to, the “punk rock “of classic NYC Graffiti, has made it easier for acceptance to filter down. Assisted greatly by fellow local mural artist Jon Minshull whos talent to upscale classic landscapes is undeniable.
I am proud to create art that in general doesn’t offend, occasionally i hear an inner voice that says i’m not “street” enough or don’t paint enough black outlines, or portray enough controversial messages to call myself a street artist. But if , by up-scaling botanical style patterns not unusual on kids pajamas or plastic tablecloths ,i can help to open peoples minds about what art in public places can feel like. Then i’m actually overwhelmed that this has become my role in life, and in the world.
Below are my main contributions to keeping Glastonbury colourful since the very beginning.
Here is the press release written by Kim :
I love each and every one of these murals and the dense personal history that lies in each of the spaces that they have helped to transform. I miss them everyday now that i am living in NZ.
It is an honour to have these bits of myself permanently painted in peoples everyday lives and my gratitude to Kim for acting basically as my agent , consistently proposing my style of work to sponsors and wall owners..is un measurable.