Ben's Chewing Gum Art

London, UK - Jamie - Wednesday, March 22nd, 2006 : goo

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First things first: I take no personal credit for this post. The text is paraphrased from an article on www.thisislocallondon.co.uk and the photos are stolen from rahid1's flicker photoset which can be found at www.flickr.com/photos/rahid1/sets/286517/

Ben Wilson, 41, originally from Barnet, but now living in Muswell Hill, London paints pictures faces, animals, suns, name it and he will do it on pieces of discarded gum all the way from Barnet to the West End of London.

"I'm just going to keep going and see how far I get," said Mr Wilson, who started his quest at the Hadley end of High Street, Barnet. "I use acrylic paint and varnish, then I've got a little burner to dry it. I've done different pictures cups of tea, elephants, flowers I do requests as well. Often I just draw whatever takes me on that day."

Mr Wilson said he has had a number of people stop and look at his work and most have praised him for trying to beautify what is, ultimately, just rubbish on our pavements. He also denies accusations it draws attention to the gum.

"I'm not defacing the pavement, it is more sensitive than that. I don't want to get in people's faces I'm not a graffiti artist. You get so many reactions from people, their reactions are so different, but rarely are they negative."

Mr Wilson's idea to get down on his hands and knees to paint gum people have spat out on the floor is not just a bizarre manifestation of a mid-life crisis. He has already done the same thing in Holloway Road. Nor does he restrict himself to gum. He has spent time abroad in America and Finland doing what he calls large-scale construction' and has also done some sculpting (one of his works is proudly displayed outside his mother's house in Barnet).

More than a month after starting at the top end of High Street, Barnet, he has progressed less than a quarter-of-a-mile southwards, despite working more or less five days a week. So does he really think he can make it all the way into the centre of London?

"We'll see," he said. "I'm just going to keep drawing and see where the momentum takes me."

I deliberately haven't posted more photos here so as not to steal anyone's fire so to speak. The full photoset is viewable here: www.flickr.com/photos/rahid1/sets/286517/

This article has been viewed 22436 times in the last 7 years

Peter: always the informative poster, jamie is!

jamie: i could be a proper journalist, innit

kori : cool-

iman: wow, that's really good! good idea.

Sarah: Has anyone seen him recently?

anna and desiree: omg awesome Dude!!!!UK MaNNN!!

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