By Raana Jefferson
This exhibition is a project from Bombsquad, which took place over the course of a few weekends at 2 Low Ousegate in York Town Centre earlier this month.
For those who did not get a chance to see the event, let me give you a quick rundown on what the “Rise of the Vandals’ have to offer so you lovely York folks will know for the next time they’re hopefully back in town!
Rise of the Vandals’ showcases a range of different street art and different art styles created by not only local York artists but also by world-wide artists! This is their 4th event over the past four years, and this year they did not disappoint. This year’s nominated charity has been SASH. SASH is a charity organisation who helps young people facing homelessness.
I was lucky enough to be able to speak to a handful of the artists who were exhibiting their work. I spoke with Stephen John Botrill, Sharon McDonagh, Lincoln Lightfoot and Sola, just to name a few.
Each artist brought a completely different style of art to the exhibition, with some tackling serious world issues, bereavements, fiction and just all-round different artworks, out of all four floors not one floor was the same.
For example, as you entered the building you were greeted by Lincoln Lightfoot’s incredible Octopus and as you followed local DJ Sola’s music you were led to the fourth and final floor.
All these artists have fascinating stories as to how they came to be where they are today and how life has influenced their artwork. It really showed me how although life can be cruel and unexplainable at times, it is how you handle these situations and what you chose to do next that make you the person you are from these life experiences.
From my own interpretation, what I learned was that the artists I spoke to, they have used these experiences to channel it into something positive and as a result have been able to showcase some incredible pieces of artwork. All these artists showed on the day, is that you are in control of your own life and the paths you chose to take are on you.
The most wonderful thing was how approachable every artist was and how easily they were to talk too, the knowledge they have on art culture and artists is simply mesmerizing, I could have stayed there all day absorbing the knowledge they have.
When asked directly or indirectly what advice each artist has for inspiring artists, they all pretty much said the same and that was ‘come to events, build a body of work and find your style. Do what you love as art is an expression and enjoy what you’re doing’.
“Life is short, and art is long.” — Hippocrates
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