Archive for June, 2008

Aldi have backed off and have said they will allow the Feed the Poor message to stay on the wall for 6 months. After meetings between Aldi and the Feed the poor charity organisation (www.feedthepoor.co.uk) they reached a comprimise which meant both sides were happy. Although some would contest whether Aldi even have any say over what goes onto a neighbours wall, both sides were happy that they could remain on good terms with one another (especially as Aldi allow priveleges such as access to and from the building for the charity org to unload via their carpark)

Feed The Poor charity said they were keeping in line with the way of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh), by keeping good relations with ones neighbours. Not only is this a good characteristic in Islam to have, but having good neighbours, i’m sure everyone will agree is an important thing! No-one likes a moaning neighbour!

So myself as an artist, being involved with this, I am happy that the charity organisation are happy with the solution. Many recommended they go to the press regarding this affair, I think it was only through wisdom that everyone held off and remained patient that the matter was resolved. Its easy for outsiders to encourage the dispute, but it is the charity org that would have to put up with it on a daily basis.

This is the second time this has happened for me. Last time in Chicago when i was stopped from painting, i had 3 separate tv stations requesting a televised interview, how the “peace artist was banned”, yet something told me not not to take the opportunity, despite clearly being the victim and the ones being oppressed.

For sure there are times when you have to stand your grand and fight for what is right. And sometimes you have to let things go… sometimes we make the right decision and sometimes not. And God knows best.

I wil be painting another right next to the Feed the Poor wall, which I promise will be more in line with the style that I usually offer. Many have said this wall, wasn’t my usual style, but I would like to clarify, this piece was merely a “billboard style message” as opposed to an artistic piece. The wall alongside will be a continuation of the same message, and perhaps may upset Aldi again, who knows! But I hope to do that wall in a month or two, will keep all posed..

Peace

Today, the final day of completion for the Feed the Poor wall, in the Aldi Car Park, Stratford Road, Sparkhill, generally went well, except for visits by Police, and then the regional manager of Aldi.

I am no newcomer to controversy that surrounds some of the walls that I have made around the world, the Chicago mural controversy, being a classic example of that, read here from a blog posting about that.

In Chicago, i was banned from completed a mural, due to some ignorant firemen who just wanted to make things awkward.

This time it seems Aldi are not keen on the Feed the Poor mural, as it overlooks their car park, and they feel its not something Aldi wants to have their customers using their car park, wanting to see…?! The building that is painted, has nothing to do with Aldi, but it overlooks their car park. Some bloggers online have queried Aldi’s involvement with this painting – to clarify – it has NOTHING to do with them whatsoever. So one may say, they have no right to say anything about it…!

We may have to paint out the wall. So I thought I better put the pics up online asap, and blog about it. Will keep all posted on this.

Enjoy the pics below…

Day 1 of the Feed the Poor wall, in the Aldi Car Park, Stratford Road, Sparkhill, Birmingham. I will be finishing it off Monday 16th June, 12pm onwards, so come on by, get high on the fumes… The mural reads quite simply, “Feed the Poor” needs no further explanation…. Quite easily the biggest wall since my Chicago experience last year…!

This is a message for all the traffic that mounts along this busy road, as well as all the buses. Not very artistic, but rather a big bold message for everyone to ponder on….