Urban Art Association

Tank in South London gets Dazzle camouflage makeover, by Smith and Stuff on May 2, 2014 0:28:24 GMT 1, I've been cycling past this T34 Czech tank in Bermondsey, South London for the past 8 years and watched it go from army green to pink to blue and white polka dots & everything in between. It always looked a bit awkward & embarrassed to me in its various liveries none of which gave a nod or wink to its military past.

After a chat in a pub a few weeks back I discovered an interesting history since the tank was decommissioned... first appearing as an extra in Ian McKellens's Richard III in 1995, then being purchased by local property developer Russell Gray for £7,000 It ended up in its current location after the local council denied planning permission for the land it currently sits on. Permission was then unwittingly granted for a 'tank' by the council assuming it was some sort of storage tank. Stompie as he's affectionately known was then parked up and had his gun pointed squarely on the old London City Hall... thats known as sticking it to the man.

After getting in touch with its owner and proposing a makeover in Dazzle camouflage extensively used in World War 1 on ships designed to make it difficult for the enemy to estimate the targets range, speed and heading; I spent the weekend painting it. I'm not sure how long it will last like this before it gets repainted as it seems to be an open canvas for local artists... head down to Mandela Way & Pages Walk in Bermondsey and take a look if you're in the neighbourhood.

Also check out www.smithandstuff.com if you want to see some more of my work

I've been cycling past this T34 Czech tank in Bermondsey, South London for the past 8 years and watched it go from army green to pink to blue and white polka dots & everything in between. It always looked a bit awkward & embarrassed to me in its various liveries none of which gave a nod or wink to its military past.

After a chat in a pub a few weeks back I discovered an interesting history since the tank was decommissioned... first appearing as an extra in Ian McKellens's Richard III in 1995, then being purchased by local property developer Russell Gray for £7,000 It ended up in its current location after the local council denied planning permission for the land it currently sits on. Permission was then unwittingly granted for a 'tank' by the council assuming it was some sort of storage tank. Stompie as he's affectionately known was then parked up and had his gun pointed squarely on the old London City Hall... thats known as sticking it to the man.

After getting in touch with its owner and proposing a makeover in Dazzle camouflage extensively used in World War 1 on ships designed to make it difficult for the enemy to estimate the targets range, speed and heading; I spent the weekend painting it. I'm not sure how long it will last like this before it gets repainted as it seems to be an open canvas for local artists... head down to Mandela Way & Pages Walk in Bermondsey and take a look if you're in the neighbourhood.

Also check out www.smithandstuff.com if you want to see some more of my work