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 Just recently, I was reading through my tweets and was stopped in my tracks by this one article about a guy named Ben Wilson who is an English artist from London. Now, that may not sound like anything too interesting, and that might be true. Until you consider the fact his favourite medium is “Paint on Gum stuck to sidewalk”. Yes, you read that right; he paints on that gross old gum stuck to sidewalks!
This unusual art form has been getting lots of attention lately, as you might assume such an off-the-wall project might. It was inspired by Wilson’s hate for all the waste and grime that is so common in the life of an urban city dweller. Before he moved to old gum-canvases, he was known for collecting trash like gum wrappers and cigarette buts and making collages and carvings out of them, as a statement against this urban waste.
It was somewhere around 2004 that Mr. Wilson grabbed this strong message and took it to the streets—quite literally. It was then that he really started to work on these gum masterpieces. The gum pieces contain images of pretty much anything. His pieces have been about anything from the morning’s cuppa coffee, tributes to his favourite closed stores, to even a proposal piece! (To which the person in question said yes. Who wouldn’t?) His works are very bright and are vibrant little splashes of colour on the otherwise grey streets of London.
Not only is Ben an artist, but he’s quite ingenious in his methods also! It seems as though paint on gum would be quite temporary and hard to work with, but he’s solved this problem. He starts his process by using a blow torch (yes, a blow torch!) to melt the gum a bit, then begins to paint right on the gum while applying layers of acrylic enamel and then seals it with a clear lacquer. According to Mr. Wilson, with his technique, these pieces of gum can last for years!
You might think this odd hobby is just that—odd! So far, the locals have been quite happy to see Wilson doing his thing. Whenever he is out working, he usually attracts a nice gathering to watch his work. The Police however, haven’t always been such a joy to deal with. So far, he’s been arrested only once though, and even then quickly released after the community sent countless letters in support of their favourite urban artist.
One also has to wonder, how can you spend all or most of your time going out and drawing on gum. I mean, it sounds rather bizarre, and can’t exactly bring home too much, now can it? And to answer that, no it doesn’t. Wilson doesn’t get paid for any of these pieces (unless you count the love of the community!) His girlfriend teaches at a local school, and he occasionally sells the odd traditional painting (on canvas!)
It’s really quite refreshing to see such a unique art form, and one with a quite nice message in it too! I hope Mr. Wilson gets the recognition he deserves and can keep livening up the streets of London, albeit one piece of gum at a time. Via |
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