Street art, Whangarei, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019
On a recent weekend in Whangarei I was really impressed by the amount and quality of the street art that has been installed around the city. It seems that street art has moved from an underground, rebel act to one approved, organised and funded by local authorities.
Not that I’m complaining.
This was my favourite work. I wish I could find out more about it.
Detail; street art, Whangarei, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Zimmerbitch 
Very good and true message, thank you.
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Wow, what a beautifully executed message…. great art too!
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😀 I think so too. It is beautifully done.
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‘Silence is a war crime’ – What a very disturbing artwork. And one very big statement. Not only of atrocity covered up or unacknowledged, but that we, the people, too often do not question, let alone hold to account the murderous activities of our governments who do such a fine job of disappearing their activities under bland statements and propaganda and, worst of all, dressing them up as humanitarian missions.
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You’ve said it all, Tish…..
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So true. Again and again, and we continue to allow it.
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Love street art. We have a legal graffiti wall in our little village. I love seeing the changing face of it!
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What a great idea.
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When we close our eyes to the injustices in the world we live in and do not speak out against it, it is a crime in the war and struggle for justice. A very powerful message by this piece of street art, Su!
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That is true Peter.
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This is a great one, Su Leslie. Very powerful. It gives me chills.
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I understand that.
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Excellent piece, both artistically and philosophically. Officially sanctioned street art is a big thing here too.
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Town centres seem to be promoting street art as a way of brightening up alleyways, etc. and as visitor attractions. I wonder if the organisers expected a work quite so political.
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I wonder! But they’ve allowed it to stand.
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Yes; and it’s been there for a couple of years I think. Maybe NZ doesn’t see itself (naively) as less implicated in modern wars.
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I never thought of it that way but it is so true. We must speak up.
Leslie
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Love this – and Tish communicated our thoughts so well.
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Thank you Ann-Christine. I agree; Tish has said very eloquently what so many of us think.
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💚
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Love the Street Art!! Awesome photos as well Su! 🙂
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Thanks so much Diann 😀
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I like the idea of sanctioned street art, although some might not enjoy doing it as much if it’s legal. 🙂 This is a powerful piece and everything seems to have been already said.
janet
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Yep, thank goodness for the courage of those willing to illuminate the crimes. On the other hand, if I hear the phrase “the standard you walk past, is the standard you accept” one more time, I think I might scream. There may be many reasons people may keep quiet. A battle does not a war win. Sorry I just had to get that off my chest. I might have had a post in mind about that (kind of). 🙂
Seriously though, Su, wonderful murals. Sometimes we do need simple messages for those who need a reminder of why it is important to speak out even it is a lone voice. Hopefully someone somewhere will take notice. We should be very grateful for the Greta Thunbergs of this world.
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She is an amazing young woman, and I hope she is inspiring other young people too.
I agree that the decision to speak or keep quiet can be complex, even though we “know” what is morally right. Often it’s influenced by the fact that most of us are not islands, but connected to others who are impacted by our behaviour.
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Yep. And you know, you can choose your friends but not your relatives. 🙂
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For which I am very grateful.
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You are so right about how this street art is now a well-supported endeavor, Su – and I am not complaining either
And your selection is sobering
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Thanks Yvette.
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That child could make you cry.
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Yes; he or she is beautiful and so sad.
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Very good find! Art is beautiful! Art is political! Art supports human rights!
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I think you’re right about street transforming from an underground art to something approved and even supported art form. This mural is one excellent piece!
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It is beautiful. I’m glad that communities are embracing street art too. I guess the fear is that if it is being done with official approval (and funding) there will be some censorship of the message, and truly radical art will have to find another platform.
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That makes sense. It’s worrying to think about this kind of censorship in both our respective societies where we are allowed to express our minds. What must it be like in those countries where they aren’t?
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It’s terrifying to think how many people have no right to express themselves freely. But of course, the flip side of that is those who preach hatred under the guise of free speech. 🙁
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Yes, I fear that’s very true. 😦
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This is one of my favourite murals I’ve done in whangarei, awesome to see that after a number of years people still cares about. The message in this was powerful.
Awesome photo and resolution is superb!!! 👍
Saludos from Whangarei
Rodrigo Rozas
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Rodrigo, thank you so much for visiting and commenting. I loved the mural so much; we kept detouring during our visit to Whangarei to see it again and again.
You are right; the message is very powerful and one we need to remember.
Thanks again
Su
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