Shaking up what might have been an unremarkable Sheffield Friday night in mid-January, a new city-wide art event named Pub Scrawl turned control over to the city’s artists for a short but sweet creative bluster. Jane Faram tells us more…
Pete McKee who initiated Pub Scrawl, began exhibiting his paintings of Sheffield stars of snooker and pop fame inside pubs. Less complex and intimidating as public spaces go these pub displays weave art into the everyday and add a little sparkle to what may be otherwise standard – take notice or focus on your pint (or indulge in both).
In his unobtrusive and humble manner Pete Mckee has done something really special with Pub Scrawl, a one-night-only crawl highlighting some of the city’s outstanding independent illustrators, designers and filmmakers. Ten artists were each assigned to a different venue, with one night to make an impression.
Crawlers and pub staff alike were energised by each venue and rumours of the rest. Hot topics of the night; a greengrocers recreated in a pub by illustrator, sign writer and wall artist Lord Bunn, with a plethora of fruit and veg he’d drawn on, like lemons labelled ‘Bitter’ and ‘Twisted’, housed in a pub which centuries ago was truly a greengrocers. Who knew? Also, Warp Films who produced Shane Meadows’ This is England, the infectiously gritty northern series, took to the Washington Pub, with their cast necking pints in the beer garden. Dotted around the equally gritty pub interior were familiar battered props like the crow macabrely strapped to a terroist bomb, as featured in another Warp Films hit, Four Lions.
Illustrator and designer George Law (aka Geo) was assigned The Great Gatsby and installed wall-mounted primary coloured animal heads built from intricately designed nets, made in collaboration with artist Nicholas Tietzsch-Tyler. Bears and stags proudly watched over the crowds, with streams of paper pouring from their mouths like fountains. Grass turf, fruit bowls and burning incense added to one of the more sensory experiences of the Scrawl. Questioning Geo about his intentions on the night he said he intended to, ‘transform the downstairs space and recreate a temple inspired by a recent trip to Malaysia, Buddhist temples filled with vibrant colours and smells’. The Great Gatsby felt cosy, enveloping and visually stimulating.
Nipping over the road, Bungalows and Bears had been occupied by Fine and Dandy (of Dust in collaboration with Mick Marston). In one part of the bar, stacked boxes formed a temporary wall with each box stunningly printed with delectable graphics. Later that night news soon travelled that crawlers were invited to crash and trash the construction, or to take a box home to treasure. Pub Scrawl seemed not to encourage arty preciousness but instead celebrate the palpable, temporary and one-off.
Further down Division Street the Forum bar, a venue long associated with supporting young artists, was charmingly addressed by illustrator Sarah Abbott who is quietly but expertly achieving renoun. Her installation of stunning, delicate drawings and an animated film of drawn leaves and branches was a particularly calm and collected moment in a hectic evening. The exhibition catalogue says something beautifully befitting her approach, ‘referencing the golden age of American illustration of the 1950’s…like a good American indie film’.
The installation at the Bowery, was like a whole world of Japanese animation exploding in your face, from suspended white clouds with cute faces, to colourful vinyl adorning nearly every surface. This was Tado – internationally famed design duo who draw on a vast history of design, animation, film and gaming. Their ‘Miss Panda’ character taking to the decks was a highlight, a costume-head referencing their ‘Private Panda’ gentleman’s club idea, based on Japanese ‘cosplay’ bars which host performance art inspired by anime, comic books, manga and fantasy. A breath of fun and fresh air.
McKee’s initiative highlighted the rich tapestry of Sheffield’s independent pubs from the historic Bath Hotel to the newly opened Dada bar, each with stories embedded in them and a genuine enthusiasm for the achievements of people in the city. Whilst small, the Sheffield’s output is astounding, most of the 10 artists shining brightly internationally and remaining modest locally. This expertly choreographed evening, allowing each artist to flourish with minimal limitation, is memorialised in the beautifully produced Pub Scrawl catalogue (available from Month of Sundays, Pete McKee’s gallery).
Pub Scrawl marked out creative talent which consistently bubbles under Sheffield’s surface. In a notoriously unassuming yet artistically bright city, it’s another genuine step in the right direction.
This is why I love Sheffield. 🙂