Stik, Street Art, and Dulwich Hamlet Junior School

By Ingrid | Published 16 May 2012

Stik demonstrates safe spray painting to a Hamlet student

As part of the Dulwich Festival, the street artist Stik has been interpreting some of the paintings in Dulwich Picture Gallery’s permanent collection on the walls of Dulwich.

There are many preconceptions and prejudices about both street art and classical art, with these genres being viewed as polar opposites. Often people interested on one genre find it difficult to understand the other.

Stik, a well known street artist, and Ingrid Beazley who is a teacher and guide at Dulwich Picture Gallery, are attempting to bridge this gap with Stik’s interpretations of some of Dulwich Picture Gallery’s 17^th and 18^th century masterpieces created in a contemporary medium (spray paint), in a contemporary space (street walls) and in his unique style. These attempt to highlight the similarities, encouraging viewers to make links and enjoy both styles.

Last week Stik painted his version of ‘Three Boys’ by Bartolome Esteban Murillo in Dulwich Park helped by class 3 S of Dulwich Hamlet Junior School.

Cathy Skelton, class teacher.

The children responded immediately to his gentle self-effacing manner and really engaged with the simplicity and emotions of his painting.

Working outside with a street artist was a new and exciting adventure for all of us and such fun. It was inspirational for the children to see art happening before their eyes and to feel a part of it themselves. An experience they’ll remember and be proud of for a long time I’m sure.

We’re all huge Stik fans now and you can be sure 3S will be looking out for more of his work around the Dulwich Festival and all of London from now on!

Extracts from the letters that the children wrote to Stik afterwards:

Dear Stik,

‘Thank you for letting me paint with you. I think it was a great experience and I will never forget it’ Uma

‘You did a really good version of the three boys and you decided to do it in black and white…. You are very clever to think of decorating walls for people. It makes the world look really really beautiful.’ Radha

‘That day was one of the best days of my life…. I like the way you turned a detailed picture into a simple picture. I think you were really patient and kind. I loved the end result. You got the details but not in a detailed way. I hope you keep on making street art. I like the way you got the emotions in with no mouths.’ Katie

‘I loved the way that Stik was patient and always made a laugh about everything even though it was raining a bit. I also loved the way he explained everything he did. Its so fun that Stik is doing his street art in Dulwich so we can come back and see it whenever we want to. We are SO lucky to work with Stik. It was the experience of a life time! Now Ive seen one of his pictures live I’m going to find some others.’ India