Campaigning street artists Louis Masai and Jim Vision have joined forces over the past week. Joining forces to raise awareness about the dangers posed to Britain’s Bee population in Londons East End. The result being the creation of a number of bee related street art murals.
The decline of bees has become well known and a major concern. If something isn’t done, then it’s widely believed that a key part of our eco-system could disappear. Seizing up as our pollinators eventually disappear.
Save the Bees Street Art Campaign
In order to highlight the issue, walls have been painted across the East End. The message couldn’t be any more clear ‘When we go, we’re taking you all with us’. The hashtag #savethebees is the call to action and anyone turning up to see the artists painting could go home with a packet of free seeds which local folk will plant in their own garden, window box or even just a plant pot.
One of the biggest risk to bees is the availability of the kind of plants needed to help sustain the population. As more development takes place then more pesticides are used. The spaces for bees to thrive are simply disappearing. As a result, gardens and window boxes are becoming a really important source. All going well there should be plenty of planting going on just about now.
Event at Rockwell House
Masai and Vision have been painting furiously in order to reach a finale which took place over the weekend at Rockwell House. Based on Hewett Street the venue is home to End of the Line and often plays host to many a street art event. This time the star attraction was a hive of bees. The rooftop venue baked in the sun and proved the perfect setting for a event which made the issue clear but never preaching.
Music from the angel voiced Rosie May and the incredible beatbox and street dancing crew Ambidextrus joined a host of other talented acts nestling in amongst the live street art and bee talks taking place. As events go it was perfectly pitched. Certainly it seemed to manage its objective. Judging by the amount of packets of wildflowers that were eagerly snapped up at least.
Braithwaite Street in Shoreditch
Ellsworth Street in Bethnal Green
Vallance Road in Bethnal Green
Sclater Street in Shoreditch
Hackney Road in Shoreditch
Save the Bees Project at Rockwell House
Other links
Buzz off!
lol Matt you make me laugh 😛
I’ve just spotted the amazing blue wall this afternoon on Braithwaite St which I didn’t know about in advance. Also spotted the Hackney Road and Scalter St Bees. Its a great project. Thanks for info about it.
Hey Tanya, no problem glad you got to the blue wall, it’s been painted over now
Reblogged this on beesforlife and commented:
inspiring and important
Love these bees and what they and other pollinators do!
THANK YOU for putting beautiful scale to this issue. Can you come to the US and do this everywhere? “No bees = No Food” “Give Bees a Chance”
What a beautiful idea!! <3 I am looking for someone who can help me here in Vienna to paint a wall infront of our Bee garden. The Sprayers here want money… Eventhough it a sozail project.. 🙁