Serenity

I've been continuing my quest to see all the street art from the 2016 Cities of Hope exhibition.  I've never seen this image before, despite walking through Stevenson Square on numerous occasions - usually to go to the wool shop.  

Given its size, and the fact I've never seen it, I just assumed it had been painted over like the Greek Gods art work but decided to stop on my way to work this morning - just in case!

I was so surprised to turn the corner and there it was, up a small side street and completely hidden away from view.  If you didn't know where it was, you certainly wouldn't stumble across it.

Funnily enough, there is a pub directly opposite Serenity and I was in it earlier this year for a friends 40th birthday.  As we left, the door leads out to face this image but pre-Blip, I really do feel now that I must have walked around with my eyes closed! 

From the internet, it says "Serenity was the first of the street art convention's Tributes of Hope and was painted in the shadow of Stevenson Square, where the Suffragettes once gathered defiant over 100 years ago, and is gratitude to all women that stand against injustice.  

The artwork recognises their strength, resolve and dignity, a testimony to what they have endured and still endure, to make the world a better place, for all of us.

‘Serenity’ is the production of the female and male partnership SNIK. With over a decade’s experience painting walls they have established themselves as one of the most progressive stencil artists of the moment. Their bold aesthetic is characterised by frozen scenes of dynamic action often at impressive scale."

I have to admit that as I walked round the corner of the building, I got a few goosebumps when I saw it.  Perhaps it was the expectation that I was going to be disappointed again.  I literally stood transfixed for a few moments before I actually lifted up my phone to take the photo.

There is also a short video about the making of this piece:
https://www.citiesofhope.net/#/snik/

I wanted to get my blip before work as it's book club tonight and I literally have 50% of The Talisman Ring by Georgette Heyer to power through over lunch!

Quote for today:
Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm.
- S A Jefferson-Wright