Graffiti at Strathalbyn

97 x 112 cms  2003

$2800 Sold

I saw this notice inside a loo door in the SA town of Strathalbyn and, as I wanted to use exactly that notice, I went back with my camera, tripod and lights and photographed it. I had to use the socket for the hand dryer for power and, yes, someone did come in while there were cables all over the floor and I was shut inside the cubicle with lights blazing! A swift splash and sounds of rapidly departing feet.
After a lot of experimenting I printed the notice onto fine tissue paper, which I then saturated with a painting medium and stuck onto the painting but, fearing the ink would fade, I subsequently removed the tissue and painted the sign by hand.

The handbag is a purely compositional thing, but I do like that hanging weight . It is difficult to see in the photograph, but the door is thickly painted, with further graffiti (from the SA town of Mount Compass) scratched into it.

I frequently return to graffiti because it is real.