Walls and Thoughts Beyond

Walls. A feature of our modern lives. A life of closer connectivities and more confined lifestyles. Where we reach out to the world yet can't see our neighbours over the walls we build around ourselves. Cold and unsympathetic, the poor poet's mountains, that which was meant to secure lives yet sucks the life out. Walls can often seem imposingly dignified and often repressively violent. And yet, it is far-fetched for sure to think of walls as serving any purpose other than keeping those in, in and those out, out. Other than perhaps, providing a place to lean for the lonesome traveller from the north and the aspirant who wishes to see the world on the other side. So it is with wonder in my eyes that I stumbled upon the work of a certain Banksy.

There are those times when you wished you’d known certain things earlier and longer, and Banksy’s works certainly ignite those feelings. As dull, grey landscapes suddenly transformed into a work of art; as out of nowhere, the wall of your morning walks suddenly became a canvas for ingenious expression; as ordinary, mundane ideas were taken and overnight, turned into that which is significant and conspicuous; you wonder why you hadn’t thought of it first. It’s just so plain simple. And then you smile, for it is the work of an alchemist before your sight that transforms the ordinary into the brilliant.

Banksy says “We don’t need any more heroes; we just need someone to take out the recycling.” Stinging words in a world living in its own separate, walled comfort zones. Words probably not loud enough to hear over the din of the music systems and the traffic the other side of the wall. Yet words that cannot be ignored on your way back from the morning walk when they are inscribed silently and beautifully overnight, especially when you’re expecting a steaming hot mug of imported coffee instead.I'll call it quits now, but as I tuck myself into my blanket, I sure know who I'd like to have on the other side of my wall.