Writing on the wall
Street art, Athens 2005
When I was in Athens in 2005 I found myself drawn to the street art which had started to grace the windows of empty shops in central Athens. Looking at these images six years later I can’t help feeling they are an incisive comment on the consumer society and the ills that attend it.
Street art, Athens 2005
Surely this angry fish prophecies the protesters who were to take to the streets some years later and express their anger against Bankers and the Government.
Street art, Athens 2005
A turbulent sea expresses the looming international economic crisis that will engulf the world and Greece in particular.
Poster fragment on wall of empty shop, Athens 2005
This poster fragment merging with the distressed plaster hints at antiquity. All of these photographs were taken a short distance from the Parthenon.
Portrait on empty commercial premises, Athens 2005
I was impressed how all this spontaneous street art had gravitated to the empty commercial premises as if inescapable truths were being revealed.
Sticker with a message, Athens 2005
This sticker sat comfortably with the fluid art as if it was an explanation of the work in a gallery.
Message on empty commercial premises, Athens 2005
In every city in the world it is possible to find an imprint on walls which speaks of contemporary issues. The impermanence of these rude imprints raises fascination with them. Its something you don’t want to miss.
Shop window, Athens 2005
The undressed mannequins in this clothes shop window seemed to resonate with the messages painted onto adjoining empty premises.
Mermaid on the window of empty commercial premises, Athens 2005
Mermaid flipper painted on the window of empty commercial premises, Athens 2005
Credit cards and painting on the window of empty commercial premises, Athens 2005
This juxtaposition of the credit cards, artists paint and the empty shop perhaps says it all.
Credit cards and painting on the window of empty commercial premises, Athens 2005
Painting on the window of empty commercial premises, Athens 2005
The Parthenon 2005
