Spalding 'cost of living crisis' art sparks row
A frustrated street artist has vowed never to work with the council again following a row over his cost of living crisis piece.
Karl Barfoot (Honr) feels he has no freedom to express himself after South Holland District Council said it would remove his new artwork at the Castle Sports Complex.
However, the authority said the new Spalding design ‘falls outside of what was agreed’ for the recently-installed boards - having signed off on a sport or environment themed piece instead.
Karl said: “I had wanted to do a child with a climate change design originally but we are in a cost of living crisis and I thought it would be a good idea to do what’s going on in the world.
“I did the wall on Friday and finished it off on Sunday then I got a call from someone on Tuesday at SHDC who asked who had done it and then told me it would need to be removed. She said that it had gone against what we agreed and I admit I did do something different from the design I sent in for the trial wall.
“I hold my hands up and admit I didn’t contact them first but it was a spur of the moment decision, it’s about freestyle and being creative.
“I feel like I have no freedom to do what I want.”
Coun Gary Taylor, portfolio holder for communities and facilities, said the council had worked with Karl and fellow artist Adam Sadd for eight months to agree themes and locations - and said the pair are ‘very talented’.
He added: “However, we were surprised and disappointed to discover that this latest artwork falls outside of what was agreed when Karl and Adam first approached the council wanting to work with us. Both parties agreed that any artwork displayed at the Castle Sports Complex would be themed around sports and the environment.
“Sadly, on this occasion, this latest piece doesn’t do that.”
After the disagreement over the cost of living piece, Karl vowed not to work with the authority again. He added:“I think the council just wanted the freebies. I’ll go to Peterborough and other cities to paint instead.
“I’ve paid about £300 out of my own pocket to do the pieces that are already up in town and I feel like it was all for nothing.”
Karl and Adam created popular works such as the tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore in Spalding and a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee piece in Moulton.
Karl also spent hours working on a mental health themed work on boards installed by the council at the Castle Sports Complex in July.
Karl added: “I want to roller over them all but I know people really love what I’ve done so I’ve left them there.”
The artists fought to have legal street art boards put up in the district, leading to the development of a new council policy.
The policy, agreed earlier this year, states artists need to pitch artwork themes and ideas to the council, get permission from them and the landowners and take ownership of protecting and maintaining their work.
It was narrowly voted through after several cabinet members voted against it.
Karl added: “There were people who said it wouldn’t work and they’ve got their own way now.
“I don’t think the council understand it. We’ve tried it but it hasn’t worked.”
Coun Taylor said: “The artwork will not be destroyed. We will remove it safely and sensitively and hand it back to Karl so he has the opportunity to display it on private land for people to view.
“We would like this opportunity to say that we hope a resolution can be reached so Karl and Adam can continue displaying their art at the Castle Sports Complex for others to enjoy.”
Fellow Spalding artist Joey Lowe is upset by the council’s decision.
He said: “This is just another way the council has tried to silence the creative community in town.
“Once again they fear the new, the original, the truth of the real world.
“I for one believe this type of sensoring needs to be addressed.”