The Bass tard asks if it is time for this to go. Commuters have been passing it by for what at least a decade? Are they stil moved by the fight between good and evil? Is this now a worst? Was it ever anything else. Bass tard sez…
…a befuddling mural, at the Moore St railway crossing in Perth between McIver & Perth stations, depicting an angel and a demon engaged in battle upon fanged steeds. It’s been there since I was a little tacker catching the train to Leederville TAFE from Bassendean but I’ve never been able to figure out the symbolism. It also seems unfinished (the ‘writing’ at the top not completed filled in) but it was always there so always meant Perth to me. But perhaps that’s what Perth is: confusing and seemingly incomplete.
I’m thinking that it’s less worst than bare brick but maybe it’s time to go. But being Perth, you’d know that something worse would go up instead. By the way, is that Lord Gaga Luke Steele on the white? 
The Worst of Perth 
Hmmm no new graff kids to do something new?
Just sayin’.
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Agreed Geoff Vivian. Let teh new generation of kiddies with cans whip something up.
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Maybe that young rising star who did such a sterling job tagging the palm frond? Omen, wasn’t it? Definitely one to watch.
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In all seriousness, there is some good graffiti art being commissioned around Fremantle at present. They are usually tucked down alley ways, and add a splash of interest as one meanders around town.
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And on cement trucks?
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No recent street art activity seen on the truck.
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If only someone would graff the Curtin bronze. It could only be an improvement.
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Yeah and let’s get Reg Mombassa to paint over all of those shitty old Magrittes.
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magnificent Ljuke
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good point.
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New graff on the boards around the renos at corner of James and William shows a marked improvement in technique.
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Where ist? Somewhere round RPH way? Looks vaguely familiar.
Those horses are cunts.
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Yes you go ast it on train. Yes it is too familiar. Let’s get some cocos palm taggers and some donger specialist in, although why these horses and even Lord Gaga don’t have giant knobs already is beyond me.
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Yes, Black Beauty is just begging for a giant ball sack (with hair).
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I’d rather something was done about this one…
Allthough, I am pro-donger.
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lol pedo chemist
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Done by Shime back in the 80’s I guess. I don’t think anyone would go over it out of respect for him. The paint has faded considerably, but I think it’s still pretty kick-ass.
definite not worst.
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Seriously guys, this isn’t worst at all, it’s best. As a long-time Midland-to-Perth commuter, I’ve got to say that passing this epic mural on the way in/out from Perth is one of the few things that makes the journey tolerable. I’d be absolutely bereaved if this got taken down. Like when the Gremlin & Bloodhound by the Horseshoe Bridge got removed – remember that? I cried for weeks. Seriously. If they cover it over, it won’t even be with (FUCKING) Yok (CRAP), it’ll be your standad pukegrey Wilson Parking wall. This is a classic, perhaps the most authentic Perth art in existence, and it’s cosmic in scale, from the cthonic Lascaux origins in the east to the Renaissance stereo decadence in the west, no retarded metal swans here. We cannot lose this, seriously – least of all to some ‘!ICE MINT FRESHY LAH!’ hipster SHIT which is the most likely successor (that is, if we don’t get stranded with 2006 olive grey and a fucking massive poster of Michael Keenan). GHOD what is wrong with people? Honestly, what could you possibly prefer to this awesome shit?
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This, Pf.
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perhaps (though I can’t agree), but at best the closest you’ll get is this
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Never make a person see that without warning them first.
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This one Pforts?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pacone/490862473/
Sorry- not too sure how to do that tricky word becomes link thing.
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*memories* :oB thanks for that
you do it like this.
Example
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bahaha I’m retarded
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Agreed. Anything that would be officially sanctioned as a replacement would undoubtedly be awful. For that reason alone, I say hands off.
Slightly related – has the little neon ‘blood-meter’ near this worked at any time in the last decade?
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it seems to be gone bento, i couldn’t see it yesterday.
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Looking at it from a purely aesthetic view point, a lot of the “grafitti” is an immense improvement on the appallingly productions from the commercial ‘art houses’ that beleaguer our community with their exhortations to go forth and consume.
Go forth and multiply; that’s my message to both the ‘legal’ visual polluters and the clandestine illustrators.
The first exhortation being metaphorical and the latter literal.
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My god; forgive me my PETS.
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I always thought this was a photo from an ALP candidate selection committee meeting.
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No doubt arguing about something Bert said to Jack about the chook-raffle some forty years ago.
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For anyone interested, here’s site that could rightfully be called The Worst of Russia:
http://englishrussia.com/
Check out the car mods.
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Forget the car mods, check out the text…
“When you hear about Russian shaven pussy I doubt you think about of some one literary shaving a cat… but there are some of those in Russia!
Guy got tired of his cat not being able to hairstyle it properly with its fur being to stiff and not easy. This lead a poor thing to an execution of a rear kind. With an electric shaver and help from other they managed to turn the pussy into shaven strange animal who was protecting its right to bare some hair until the end and even succeeded in biting a finger of one of the executors. “
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sounds like sveta and victor!
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There’s a whole website of it…
It’s kind of naive and endearing, and the photo that accompanied the above story is awsome.
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This one
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victor, you are very unattractive man.
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:-)
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I know. The text. Isn’t it delightful? What do you call it? Pidgin Engruss?
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Lets go with that.
All my talking will be today like that all day. Promise, I has.
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Как у тебя русский, Ю?
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On another topic, anyone see The Spamster AKA Teh Cockster aka The Cookster in the West today? I was a bit surprised to see him pontificating about not spamming people on twitter when he was the biggest spammin hoon in the whole city. And all the twitter accounts to follow listed in the paper, but not one mention of the funniest all original twitter feed in the city? Wot fuck?
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has Stormie Mills been nominated for Worst yet?
he was in the local paper again last week with his new show, saying something about how he was constantly surprised at all the media hoo-ha about his work
nothing to do with his girlfriend having her own PR company, then?
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who is stormie mills? can’t be arsed googling him.
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quite a prolific Perth artist vegan. Personally I’m a fan of his work, though other TWoP commenters have previously trashed his style.
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Here you go vegan.
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thanks shazz, will have a look later.
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Some cuntartist, apparently:
http://www.richardmartinart.com.au/pages/artists_details.php?artistID=17
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Not sure what I think about the art:
http://www.thechipfactory.co.uk/pages/smil/smilfile.php
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Not his best pieces SW.
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Stormie’s recent work
I like the surmision (is that even a word? tough, I like it) over getting into the right mindset.
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Now THIS is art. Very rewarding clip indeed- just listening to Phil Pringle’s nauseating American-inflected blather is a pleasure beyond all heavenly splendour. ‘Then someone bought it – so I painted another one.’ Sez it all IMHO.
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the horror…
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Fantastic. The Christian community shunned the arts, so to bring them back I paint crosses. If this guy has an exhibition in Perth I make it my mission to get a donger on a crucifix (after knocking back a few quaffers).
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He wants to bring the arse back into the church!? 1:12
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sorry, 1:53
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but I am disturbed about how many times he refers to “the arse”
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he’s really into the whole ‘Gahd’ thing too. ‘Gahd lives through the arse’ etc
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He also claims to be a pasta. Penne’, farfalle, ravioli? I assuming not Agnolotti.
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Also, how good is the music? Praise Him in this place tonight, alright! Clap your hands to the Lord!
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further to John Doust’s comment on these pages that his book is ‘quite good’, I see from the West today that his book has been shortlisted for the Miles Franklin
a small round of applause is called for.
he is pictured with Craig Silvey, who is also shortlisted.
two West Australians on the same shortlist of twelve has prompted Teh West to describe this state as ‘a powerhouse of literature’ , and Silvey as ‘the new Winton’
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Well if that doesn’t impel in him a rare moment of caprice, I imagine nothing will
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My Caprice.
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Nice arse, Onnie!
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Phew. If it weren’t for WordPress Snapshots you and Onnie could’ve cost me my Macquarie Bank job today, mp.
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sorry snuffy! i am my own boss so i forget about the NSFW tag! I promise i will try harder in the future.
http://bit.ly/aVRFQU
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The Lazy Aussie does not mandate NSFW tags. He is also cool with the concept of referring to oneself in 3rd person.
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Well if it’s good enough for a President of the United States:
http://bit.ly/ddgDBJ
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It’s even better for wannabees.
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How has this not been defaced in any sort of way? From the photos it looks like it is in real good nick. Decades you say? Lies, it must be lies.
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Oh look. An entire site devoted to Godzilla haikus:
http://godzillahaiku.tumblr.com/
Patiently I wait
As they rebuild Tokyo
Optimistic fools
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ha that’s excellent
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Smoke billows past me
The cries of Tokyo wail
Godzilla abides
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Worst. I’m with Rupert.
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This mural is pretty bad and has always been pretty bad. It will remain pretty bad un-tagged or otherwise. Craig Silvey’s long listed book is pretty bad too. Jon Doust’s is pretty good.
… in me umble opinion sir…
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… and I’m pretty sober tonight
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Come to think of it, it IS pretty fucking bad. But better than blank wall.
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I dunno TLA..
You have to consider it in it’s historical context.
For it’s time?
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do you mean in the time before Mordor?
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Fuck you, Sauron.
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I was waiting at the railway crossing while a woman took these photos. Was it the Lazy Aussie? Where does she come from…where does she come from……
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Lazy Aussie all man all the time.
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And I hope the photographer wasn’t paid a visit by our friends in Westrail Security who don’t take kindly to taking photos on railwway property without the relevant permits from the PTA.
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He was born a man, and he’ll die etc.
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Too little Bento on this site.
Rectify.
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Just to put you in the frame Semtex13, anyone can submit pics for ridicule, or defense. Got any?
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I started painting this mural in 1995. It was removed and painted over 3 times by someone who didnt like public art. On the 4th time they tried to remove it I caught them at 5am on a Sunday morning.
Then I started painting it again. The ladder I was using was owned by Perth City Mission. A few weeks after I got into painting it, another perth artist started working for Perth city mission. They are mentioned for their recent gallary show on this thread.
They (for what ever reason) decided that I shouldnt use the ladder that I had been using for a number of months and demanded that I return the ladder and didnt use it anymore. So at the time I couldnt finish the mural. Now, 15 years later I would like to finish it.
The mural is tittled “Battle of the Morning Star” It is about the forever fight between good and evil. And the choices we make in life.
It has elements of the first style of mural paintings on earth… The most famous mural paintings and modern graffiti art mural painting. It is the second of 3 murals in a theme. The first mural in the series was located in a carpark near where the Brisbane hotel is in North Perth/Northbridge. That one was knocked down by Perth City Council in 1994. I will put a picture up of it on my blog in the next few days.
The colours have faded a fair bit over the years. But its great it still is there. Time finish it I think..
Regards Shime.
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Jeez Shime, surely we can rustle up a ladder from somewhere?
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Or at least a stack of milk crates?
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Any chance of adjusting it to a battle between good and good Shime? Good V Evil is a little 90’s.
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I like that the title is “Battle of the Morning Star”, TLA, given the time when Shime met his adversary, whom although I like public art very much, I’m with on this one. I think it’s about the forever fight between having a ladder and not having a ladder. It’s guess it’s a good thing Pope Julius didn’t flog Michelangelo’s scaffolding.
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wow! thanks shime. Good to put a name to this.
Please finish it. Honestly, I have always thought that this mural looked like an unruly mess of unresolved styles and ideas and have never really liked it but I support your committment – go for it
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I’ll even nick the milk crates for you
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Stuff the milk crates, we’ll pile atop each others shoulders and hold you aloft while you finish.
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I’ll help…
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and i’ll remember to take up the skirt shots.
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Now we’re getting somewhere.
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In my case it’ll be up the fishermans pants vegan.
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That’ll really motivate him Mez.”I think it’s shit, but go for it man!” You didn’t say that to Tim Winton!
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I’m happy to offer Timbo the keys to my ute any day
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As Jerra gunned the ute down the highway a great pall of grace overtook him and at once the tarmac dissolved into a nicotine deep that had even Jerra quivering… fish in a boat, wave metaphor, dust, gaping maw, silent but prescient windswpet Aussie… Thanks Mez, whispered Jerra, thanks.
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I like it, shime
Finish it off and give it a touch up.
Do it in honour of the “someone who didnt like public art.”
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I have memories of this in ’96. I was pretty familiar with it at that time, so I imagine its much older.
I hope it stays. This is what I remember growing up in Perth, and I am very fond of it.
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Is there anything standing in the way of you finishing it Shime?
Wish there was more of your work around, i agree with the guy who mentioned your gremlin/dog mural, i still can’t fathom how someone could paint over that
I’ll be following your blog and i hope to see your vision for the claisebrook mural fully realised
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The ladder issue must be resolved first tc.
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I think this year would be good to get back into it and either finish it or do a new one over the top… i now have a ute and a few ladders. Just need the time.
Alot of people comment on the dog and gremlin I did. I was thinking of doing a different version of that. The dog and gremlin was actually from a record cover from the band ‘Tankard’. I was really digging the artwork at the time (1990) and thought that would be cool to paint at the horseshoe bridge wall. This time maybe a big cat and dog.
The biggest problem now a days is actually getting free rein to paint what you want on the walls. It did seem easier 20 years ago. Everyone wants to put there $6.20 worth in.
When we did the childrens faces under the wellington st bridge they was a shitfight from the perth city council because we didnt use pictures of kids from the perth city area. The actual kids used in the pictures were from lynwood/ferndale. Someone from somewhere always wants in.
If anyone catches the armadale train line past Kenwick you can see some of the more recent work myself and others have been doing.
Shime.
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Many thanks for the update Shime. Please continue to keep us posted.
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Hi Shime, I am a contemporary artist from here in Perth and I would LOVE to chat more about this work. I am making responses to this mural for my next body of work. I’ve tried for several days to uncover an email address for you but no luck as yet so I thought I would try here.
Carla
http://www.carlaadams.net
carlaadams@mail.com
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That’s classic Shime, i don’t know whether to laugh or cry when i hear stories like that… still waiting keenly for the other ‘Battle of the Morning Star’ murals to be added to your blog??
If world renowned artists like Shime are embraced to work freely in public places, the city will be a far more vibrant place, i feel very strongly about this.
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That settles it, then. Ladders must be banned.
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This is a Perth classic and must stay. (Is it still there? I haven’t been through that little section for yonks. Must go check that it hasn’t fallen prey to TWOP.) Thanks, Shime.
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Do you have a ladder ?
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As if.
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I’m glad these pictures are here.
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It fell prey to private developer.
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You missed it by a few weeks.
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Shime is fat n old tome to give I t up bro
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The figure on the left was copied from a comic book.
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Really, which comic?
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2000ad. A strip called The ABC Warriors. The artist’s name is Simon Bisley. I think it originally came out in 88/89. I’ll see if I can upload a pic.
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Interesting. Shime has been doing some pretty ordinary work lately
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