That's what I thought, I've fallen out with people over some really serious things in the past, but ten years later they don't seem to matter quite as much.

The beauty of these forums is that everyone can have an opinion, express it and share it with the world and not everyone has to see eye to eye. If you do not like MEAR or his art, then that is your opinion and nothing I can say can sway that. I personally disagree strongly on your assertions, but everyone definitely has different tastes in art and opinions of what is good or not.

You are also welcome to think he is going nowhere, but more than your opinion impacts the art world. I prefer to let the people decide, and the support we have received so far has been one of the things MEAR and I have appreciated and valued most. We have put in tremendous time and effort into all of our endeavors, and will continue to do so. Like I said, you are entitled to your opinion, but we will see what people in general say about MEAR and his art. And MEAR, though he loves it when he receives support and kind words, regardless of whatever is said by anyone [me included], whether it makes him rich or leaves him dirt poor he is going to continue to do his art and stay true to what he has always done, and that is bring a powerful message to the world.

In terms of the “incident” you spoke of, you definitely have some interesting insider knowledge but hypothetically if that was what the whole thing was based on, it does not justify going over someone’s hard work in my opinion. That “incident” you spoke of was pretty trivial, so though you do have insight into something minor that happened and not many people know about it, I am still not convinced you have any association with Banksy.

My main problem with what you say is how does anyone or I even know what you say is legitimate or just some anonymous person? I am out here standing behind everything I say with my name, if you are going to call someone out or make such bold statements, at you can have the respect to not do it anonymously [like whomever defaced MEAR’s last mural did as well].

Here is the new completed mural for anyone who may be interested:

Well, that's the talent bit silenced..

Incredible mural

this is a farce!!!
for gods sake its probably some kid trying to make a name for himself amongst his mates.
do you really think banksy needs to do this to get publicity???
i mean please??!!!!!!
i completely disagree the lettering looks similar at all!
your disrespecting all of banksy's previous work by putting this crap defacing on his head.
stop throwing rumours about when i could be anyone.
literally anyone!

You're not quite on your own in that minority Bomb Middle England (if it is a minority at all) as that mural does nothing for me either. In fact I find it more than a little derogatory.

Everyone knows what's said about first impressions and I have to say my first impression of what the Dalai Lama is supposedly saying in that piece is "our land and our freedom to practice our way of life has been ravaged and destroyed by an aggressive occupying nation but hey, it's cool".

I doubt very much indeed that this is how the people affected by those issues really feel. Execution wise fine, but it certainly doesn't stand out from anything an enormous amount of other graffiti and mural artists can produce and have produce for decades; message wise though it's definitely high, wide and not very handsome. At least I now understand the meaning behind "bad art hurts everyone", seems it wasn't quite so arbitrary or petty after all.

Peace, Love and freedom of expression?

Hmmm... how come the last two posts seem to appear in the wrong order?

Had sort out the spelling

Sorry......... I was getting carried away with my rant

What a weird thread. I highly doubt that Banksy would do that to the mural. After all, they are kind of in the same circle of friends. They both have printed in the same studio in LA, and they are tight with the same people. I would just chalk it up to your typical immature Vandal child.

Now, with that out of the way, the new mural looks very nice. Certainly is a great update to the previous one.

Best of Luck guys, but you had to know that to bring these kinds of questions to an open forum would start all kinds of rumours and conjecture, but that's just my .02 cents...

Thanks for posting the image of the new mural. In this case and in my opinion only, the artwork is eclipsed by the message. Dalai Lama: My Man... Holdin' it Down!!!

Here is the completed mural with a straight on picture:




Basically, It is MEAR’s commentary right now on the human rights violations occurring and crackdown on political opposition in Tibet and China. It is also his response to how the Chinese government has depicted the Dalai Lama in less than peaceful ways throughout the crackdowns and the many accusations of him escalating the violence.

MEAR said:

“I was interpreting the Dalai Lama in a peaceful representation inspiring peace in the Chinese military and peace and freedom in Tibet.”

“In the mural, an invasion of Chinese soldiers [like has been occuring throughout Tibet] is surrounding the Dalai Lama, but the Dali Lama is radiating such a powerful and peaceful energy he is making them change their current course of action [of violence and oppression] and submit to the oneness of the universe and the oneness of humanity.”

Here are some photos of the Dalai Lama mural in progress:

Thanks Derek! ..nice pics

Just set this one as the wallpaper on my computer ;D