© Jeff Christenson / Arsenal Pulp Press / Barcroft Media
A new art form involves the unlikely pairing of activism… and knitting.
For full story and pictures:
Urban artists are responsible for putting brightly-coloured wolllen blankets on street signs, railings and buildings in cities across the world to make a statement.
The art form, called knit graffiti or guerilla knitting, began in Texas in 2005 and now a book full of guerilla knitting patterns inspired by the works has been released.
© Jeff Christenson / Arsenal Pulp Press / Barcroft Media
Leanne Prain, author of Yarn Bombing, said: “It is the subversive act of creating knitted or crochet goods with the intention of leaving them on public structures for the delight and whimsy of others.
“We do not like the fact that knitting of crocheting is seen as something unsociable. We also like the idea of creating positive graffiti – something warm and fuzzy that others want to touch, that does not damage property, that can prove as something inspiring and uplifting.”
Graphic designer Leanne, 33, has been knitting with her partner-in-crime Mandy Moore, 34, for two years in their home town of Vancouver, Canada.
The duo met at a group called Knitting and Beer and claim their inspiration is other crochet groups on the internet.
© Jeff Christenson / Arsenal Pulp Press / Barcroft Media
Over the years they have bombed over 50 unsuspecting objects, including phone boxes and water towers. Although people’s reactions are not always positive.
“Some people shake their heads and walk away, some people just want to touch it,” said Leanne.
“We tag places that we think are special or grey, urban corners that need a bit of brightening up. Generally we choose a place where it will be discovered by someone who will appreciate it.”
© Jeff Christenson / Arsenal Pulp Press / Barcroft Media
One artist covered a World War II tank in pink wool to draw attention to the Iraq war. An army of volunteers knitted 4,000 pink squares which covered the tank from canon to caterpillar tracks and was placed outside the Nikolaj Contemporary Art Center in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The book is being released this month and is available from turnaround-uk.com and all good book shops. To find out more visit their blog at yarnbombing.com.
Words by Lucy Tatchell
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