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Educated Vandals graffiti artists take over Low Ousegate building to create fund-raising installation for York Mind

York artist Lincoln Lightfoot’s poster for the Educated Vandals installation project in aid of York Mind

ACE graffiti artists from across Britain will be gathering in York for the next three weekends to make Educated Vandals at one of the city’s tallest buildings, 2 Low Ousegate.

In a fusion of art and community, not-for-profit York arts organisation Bombsquad will bring together diverse artists to create a live street installation to raise funds and awareness for mental health charity York Mind while “pushing the boundaries of creativity to elevate your senses”.

Unleashing a whirlwind of colour, imagination, storytelling and urban magic from July 15, the event will showcase the talents of internationally acclaimed artists RoWdY, Mighty Mo, Listen04, James Jessop, Mul, Prefab and Dan Cimmermann.

They will be complemented by York artists Sharon McDonagh, Lincoln Lightfoot, BOXXHEAD, Steve Bottrill, SOLA and Michael Dawson plus special guests.

Last year, a Bombsquad Urban and Contemporary Art Timed Auction raised £20,000 for York Food Bank. Now, at this month’s Educated Vandals event, visitors will experience the transformation of the top two floors of the Low Ousegate building ahead of their redevelopment. Both floors will come alive with vibrant street art at this rare creative union of influential artists in the graffiti world.

“Watch them transform an iconic yet unloved and abandoned space into a living, breathing art gallery that reflects the power of street art in creating positive change,” says York artist Sharon McDonagh, one of the organisers.

York artist Sharon McDonagh

“With permission, we’ve taken over two floors of this big empty office block, where some of the top street artists in the country have given their time to create amazing wall pieces and roof art, collaborating with my crew of York artists.

“We open to the public on Saturday from 10am to 6pm and will be open for three weekends. There’ll be some stunning art on the walls, a gallery, a shop and live DJ for the event too.  I don’t think there’s ever been anything like this in York before, not on this scale anyway, with this many headliners.

“York businesses have been so supportive, giving their time and money to ensure that the event is a success. It’s been an amazing experience so far, and we’ve not even opened yet!”

Some of the art installation may be retained by the new developer to enhance the new apartments planned for both floors.

“We believe that art has the power to unite and transform lives,” says Sharon. “The Educated Vandals event is a powerful creative platform to raise awareness about mental health while providing an opportunity for artists to share their talent with the world.

“By harnessing the positive energy of street art, we hope to raise funds and awareness for York Mind to provide a new art space that will help improve mental health in our community. York Mind have been at the forefront of mental health locally since 2011 and their tireless local support makes a real difference to people’s lives.

York artist and Educated Vandals poster designer Lincoln Lightfoot

“By coming together to support York Mind, we can create a lasting impact in the lives of those affected by mental health challenges.”

Educated Vandals will run on July 15 and 16, 21 to 23 and 28 to 30, allowing ample opportunity for art enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the installation.

“The event will provide an interactive and engaging experience with opportunities for visitors to engage with artists, participate in a raffle and explore a wide selection of street art merchandise in our shop with proceeds going to York Mind,” says Sharon. Entry is free but a donation will be encouraged.

To maximise fundraising efforts for York’s mental health resources, an auction of paintings after the event will be held by Tennants Auctioneers. Limited-edition posters signed by all the artists will raise more funds for the charity.

“Join us in this unique experiential event featuring some of the best street artists in the world to create a more promising future for mental health in York,” says Sharon. “To contribute to our fundraising campaign, kindly make a donation on our JustGiving page.”

James Shipley, York Mind’s community and events fundraiser, says: “All of us at York Mind are delighted to have such amazing art work being created in aid of us and for theservices we operate. It’s fantastic to see such inspiring talent and creativity being utilised towards supporting people in York.

“We’d like to thank those at Bombsquad for organising this exhibition, and we can’t wait to see it in person.”

The Bombsquad logo

Bombsquad: the back story

THIS not-for-profit York community arts organisation focuses on street art and enhancing the city’s cultural landscape while raising funds for York charities.

Applying a “grassroots and authentic approach”, its core members bring decades of experience in the art world.

Its inaugural family-friendly outdoor arts event, the free Tempting Fete in June 2021, raised £1,600 in eight hours for York Food Bank. Despite the pandemic, it had a dystopian theme with black bunting, vandalised oil paintings and balloons.

Renowned street artists were invited to create artworks on the venue walls, engaging the local community. In addition, a charity art raffle featured prizes from Banksy, Phlegm, and Sweet Toof. The event included food, music, a bar, a children’s art competition and art for sale too.

Last October, Bombsquad organised Totally Hammered, a charity art auction held in collaboration with Tennants Auctioneers. Thirty-seven artists contributed artworks, and a ticketed fundraising party, where the art was on display, raised more than £20,000 for York Food Bank.

BombSquad comprises five artists and art collectors based in and beyond York.

What is York Mind?

IN 2011, the merger of Our Celebration and York District Mind gave rise to York Mind.

These two organisations had made a significant impact over a combined 84 years by assisting thousands of individuals on their journey towards mental well-being.

As an independent York charity dedicated to mental health, its primary objective is to empower those facing mental illness to embark on a path to recovery.

York Mind believes in the principle that a person should not be defined by their condition. Its recovery model encompasses every facet of a client’s life, encompassing personal, social and professional spheres.

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York stags and hens, racecourse revellers and gargoyles, all through the eye of Dan Cimmermann at Art Of Protest Gallery

Trout, by Dan Cimmermann, from his new Oy! Oy! collection at the Art Of Protest Gallery, York

POCKLINGTON School art master Dan Cimmermann will be painting live from 11am until darkness at tomorrow’s Art Of Protest Gallery launch of his Oy! Oy! solo show in York.

“Join us for a glass of festive fizz and check out this collection of originals based on the streets of York,” says gallery founder and owner Craig Humble, extending an invitation to a timely exhibition that merges York’s past and present.

Put bluntly, “St William’s Window versus Stags, Hens and Racecourse Revellers”. “This exhibition uses art’s first role – to make us look – as a means to encourage our thoughts about what’s important for the living vibrant reality of York today,” he contends.

“We can respect the layers of history that make our city so attractive, while embracing those who use our city for celebrating birthdays, hen dos and globally important sporting events.” 

Woo! Woo!, by Dan Cimmermann, newly on show at the Art Of Protest Gallery

Craig, who has re-located his ever-provocative gallery to No. 11, Walmgate, this autumn, continues: “Dan’s show is another example of the Art Of Protest showing the contemporary side of this ancient city. Dan is a Yorkshire artist whose work is predominantly shown in London and Tokyo, so, as an art master at the 16th century Pocklington School, it’s nice to be able to show his work a little nearer home.”

Dan’s Oy! Oy! collection has emerged from his countless visits to York. Living nearby, he enjoys the city’s shops and restaurants, making cultural visits and a day at the races. As a keen photographer as well as a painter, he often takes snaps of scenes and events that catch his eye.

Over the years, he has come to ask himself, “What is it about a city with such a heritage that attracts such gatherings of hedonism and partying?”.

“When I was looking through my photos and sketches, I was struck with the contrast between the stoic architecture, layers of history and the revellers that drive the city’s economy today,” Dan says. 

Dan Cimmermann’s studio with his works Woo! Woo! and Museum Gardens

“Whether they be the stags and hens meeting centrally from across the country, or the landed gentry celebrating a coup at the races, York is filled every weekend with drunken forms and faces finding their way around the streets and alleys.

“I kept imagining the Minster’s gargoyles looking down and wondering about how their world view had changed over the millennia”.

Reflecting on the exhibition’s timing in the shadow of the pestilent pandemic, Craig says: “To put on this show after York has seen the quietest year in its history, regarding visitor numbers at least, is the sort of juxtaposition that tweaks the interest of an artist and a gallery, now in a new location. 

“Many a local has lamented the city being overrun every weekend, but this staccato year has reminded us all that the city has the restaurants, museums, pubs and cultural investment because of the people attracted to come for whatever reason.”

To mark tomorrow’s exhibition launch, Dan will paint a mural in the backyard of Art Of Protest’s new Walmgate home. Oy! Oy! will then run until January 16 2021.

Dan Cimmermann, pictured when exhibiting at The Biscuit Factory in Newcastle

LUCY CHURCHILL, TRANSFORMING THE SACRED WOUND, A CELEBRATION OF FEMALE SEXUALITY IN THE AGE OF #MeToo, ART OF PROTEST GALLERY, WALMGATE, YORK, SEPTEMBER 25 TO OCTOBER 16 2021

YORK sculptor Lucy Churchill celebrates female sexuality in the #MeToo age in her debut Art Of Protest exhibition in York.

“Lucy’s taboo-breaking, innovative latest work is a far leap from her background in creating bespoke memorials and historical reconstructions,” says gallery curator, owner and founder Craig Humble as he launches her Transforming The Sacred Wound sculptures.

A sculpture from Lucy Churchill’s Transforming The Sacred Wound exhibition

“She started her career in museums at the Metropolitan Museum, New York, and the Crafts Council, London, before taking a more hands-on approach via a diploma from the City & Guilds of London Art School, leading to traditional apprenticeships at fine-craft workshops at Dick Reid’s Workshop in York and Richard Kindersley’s in London.”

As a freelancer, Churchill has created numerous memorials and architectural features that are publicly but anonymously displayed across Britain. Her reconstruction work features on television and in books and her academic research into Tudor history has been published.

Now comes her first exhibition at the Art of Protest Gallery. “Lucy’s new body of work is a complete break with tradition, in style and subject; it addresses women’s sexuality with a frank female gaze,” says Craig.

“The sculptures are startlingly raw,” says Art Of Protest curator Craig Humble of Lucy Churchill’s work

“Created after a life-changing #MeToo experience, the sculptures are startlingly raw. Using a direct carving approach with technical mastery, she eschews a fully described, polished finish, leaving parts of the block uncarved, tool marks still clearly visible.

“Her goal is to imbue rejected shards with a holy reverence and a power that belies their size.”

Lucy has found an appreciative audience for her sculpture and wearable art through
Instagram; images of her work have been showcased by The Vagina Museum, and she has become a spokesperson on recovery from sexual trauma through art on social media and at the University of York.

“The work stresses the importance of finding one’s sexual joy,” says Lucy Churchill

“My work changed when I found my voice on a personal and creative level,” says Lucy. “For the first time, I have told my own story, both verbally and in highly personal sculpture. Though prompted by confronting historical sexual abuse, my work is not angry. Instead, the work stresses the importance of finding one’s sexual joy and the healing empowerment of intimate self-knowledge”

Craig concludes: “At the Art of Protest Gallery, we’re very excited to host Lucy’s first gallery exhibition. We enjoy sharing artwork that can’t be ignored, that inspires conversation and reflection while displaying skill and beauty to have in your home”