Local street artist and Corner Collective gallery owner Fark famously said, “I love the smell of spray paint in the morning,” which got me thinking about all the people pottering on the way to work or doing the school run that might see lots of murals being painted across the city. This is because the paint festival is back.
This weekend, the 14th and 15th of September, you can join in the buzz around the city with LOOKUP Portsmouth. It aims to celebrate and enhance Portsmouth’s vibrant street art scene. The thing I am looking forward to is seeing the 117 international, national and local artists all take over the whole island with paint this weekend.
Last year, the first festival attracted 20,000 visitors to the city, and I loved how important it was to include the amazing local artists that Portsmouth has. Welcoming so many cool artists here, local artists embraced the start of a new era of street art in the city. There is a big push for including female street artists and other under-represented groups and also expanding the local talent we have in Portsmouth.
Chatting to Fark about his mural wall this year which is based at Baffins, he said, “It was nice to paint down by Baffins Pond this year for the festival as it’s such a nice spot and the locals kept bringing us coffee.
“I think the best part though was the positive reaction from the parents & children coming by on their way home from school (the local school had just done an art project on me and the kids went crazy when they saw me painting), it’s always nice to put a smile on peoples faces.”
The permanent artworks will be featured on 30 buildings including prime spots on the Gunwharf Quays railway arches, Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery, Wimbledon Park and more. A landmark piece by local artist Midge will also be created at the end of Eastney Esplanade which is nearly finished and looks stunning! The fact we still have the artwork from last year up on the sides of buildings means that there is even more to wander around and explore this year.
Roo Abrook who has painted a mural at the Froddington Arms in Fratton said, “It’s always fun painting outside, so many people stop for a chat, they love seeing art enhancing their environment, it gives a great feeling of community. The festival brings people together to experience art and to meet artists.”
As part of the festival, there will be Rawkus City hitting Portsmouth Guildhall Square with their Hip-Hop Arts Festival. Offering a celebration of culture, creativity, and community. You can witness legendary breaking pioneers take the stage alongside Olympic-level judges. You can compete for prizes and be part of a movement that’s shaping the future of Hip-Hop arts and creativity. Open to all ages, children and adults, it looks so much fun! This is a free event that is happening just on Saturday 10am until 6pm!
On the road where I live, I got a chance to meet Jasmine Crisp who has painted a wall in masonry paint instead of spray paint. Being Australian, Jasmine has joined the paint festival on her journey around Europe before heading back to Australia. She said, “Being in Portsmouth has been a special experience. To be in a city I wouldn’t have ever seen otherwise and get to be a part of it in a special intimate way has been cool. Meeting locals and other amazing artists has given a lot of energy around the festival and I have enjoyed spending time in Portsmouth and everything here.
“I love the street I am working on and have been amazed at how the mural fits in with the style of the street it is situated on, even before it is finished. Just walking along and seeing flowers in people’s home windows that reflect my piece and seeing the antique shops on Castle Road really has made me think the mural will sit nicely in the community.”
If like me you like the idea of a physical map of the festival, you can collect one on Saturday morning from 10.30am below:
Stay Lucky Gift Shop and Coffee Bar on Elm Grove.
Corner Collective Gallery on Albert Road.
See more details of which artists to go and see and where on the website here for LOOK UP Portsmouth.
Feature Photo and all photos by the incredible Solent Sky Services team.
