Phlegm has featured in this blog before. He is a mysterious artist and muralist - rather like Banksy. Based in Sheffield, he has adorned numerous buildings around the world with his distinctive designs. He works exclusively in monochrome, creating often huge fantastic murals that are characterised by imagined beasts and a sense of strange foreboding.
I had heard that there was a new Phlegm mural on Eldon Street so I wanted to see it with my own eyes. However, Shirley told me that the massive mural I had previously spotted on Headford Street had been replaced with something even better so I wanted to see that too.
Mural on Headford Street and detailed view at the top of this post.
With senior bus pass in hand, I set off into the city centre - remembering my trusty camera. To tell you the truth, the new Eldon Street mural was a little disappointing and parked cars prevented an unhindered view of it. However, the new Headford Street mural certainly has the "wow" factor. It is on the side of the old "Eye Witness" cutlery works building which has been converted into an office and apartment block.
Phlegm has been painting away for two decades now. I guess there are more mythical beasts in his head - just waiting to be let out. It is interesting that he makes no obvious political commentary or protest in his work and nor does he seek to celebrate natural beauty or the real environments we occupy. Fantasy and free expression appear to be all.
Lying on a psychiatrist's couch, I bet that Phlegm would have a fascinating tale to tell and it would be his own tale - not anybody else's.
The new Phlegm mural on Eldon Street
The new Phlegm mural on Eldon Street
Yuck!
ReplyDeleteI wonder what BAD might think of Phlegm's work?
DeleteI admire street artists.
ReplyDeleteI admire good street artists.
DeleteVery striking work!
ReplyDeletePhlegm has a very recognisable style.
DeleteArt can make us think about things and ask questions. You have done what you are supposed to do by wondering why he creates strange animals. What else does he have to say?
ReplyDeleteI agree that good art should give us pause for thought.
DeleteNo political or other commentary in Phlegm's work? I am not so sure. For instance, the small beings using the telescope on the large, not-so-relaxed resting being could be interpreted as people trying to work out what the future holds for human kind while poor Earth can't get a proper rest as long as we're trampling about on it.
ReplyDeleteYou may be right about those subtle undertones.
DeleteNice work.
ReplyDeleteWhen my daughter went off on her 'Gap year' I entrusted her with my very nice Taylor's Eye Witness penknife, telling her to look after it. It was taken from her by customs before her first flight out of the UK.
I bought an Eye Witness penknife from "The Famous Sheffield Shop" just yesterday - a birthday gift for my friend Tony.
DeleteI had forgotten about Phlegm and of course he has painted works here. I like the murals very much.
ReplyDeleteHe is very much in demand.
DeleteHmm.. strange.
ReplyDeleteI always have been JayCee.
DeleteAnd there was me thinking you had respiratory problems! I bet if the artist Phlegm was psychoanalysed, it would be a long saga.
ReplyDeleteIt is a strange pseudonym to pick but slightly disturbing like his art. If you were a street artist, I suggest the moniker "Petal" or perhaps "Fluff". I would be "Balderdash".
DeleteWeird - enough to give the kiddies nightmares!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of taking Phoebe to see the one on Headford Street.
DeleteNot sure I would choose the name Phlegm. Perhaps Snot.
ReplyDeleteI would be Balderdash.
DeleteThough excellently done, I don't like the first and last, but the middle one is nice.
ReplyDeletePhlegm would probably be angry if you called his work "nice"!
DeleteDon't we all have a wild tale to tell?
ReplyDeleteI bet you do... that night in Jacksonville?
DeleteI was thinking of an entirely different phlegm.
ReplyDeleteI like THIS Phlegm; very talented.
Maybe you could do with one of his murals in Camden SC.
DeleteI think I may feel about Phlegm's artwork as you do about Kendrick Lamar's music.
ReplyDeleteWhat K. Lamar does hardly qualifies as "music" in my opinion.
DeleteI wonder how long it takes him to complete one of these murals. I think they are amazing!
ReplyDeleteHe has learnt some efficient tricks - including hiring an industrial cherry picker lift.
DeleteWhen I saw the title Phlegm, I thought, Mr. Pudding has the same thing as us. Jack was kind enough to bring a virus home that has left us all plugged up, coughing, and generally feeling like crap. I'm glad I was wrong.
ReplyDeleteThose murals are interesting but creepy too. It always amazes me how people can make lines on paper or walls, and those lines become something. It feels like magic to me.
Yes. A kind of magic. Phlegm without the capital "P" is vile stuff.
Deletehis psychiatrist may ask him to "cough it up and spit it out"....... really ace images and very imaginative creations.... good work - thanks for capturing them for us to see
ReplyDeleteMaybe he will come to Outlane one day.
DeleteHe soon spits his murals out. What a talented artist.
ReplyDeleteTo do it on such a large scale is pretty impressive in my view.
DeleteI like them; they're appealing in some way I can't even name.
ReplyDeleteA Blogland path from RWP's post had lead me here today. What fantastic 'urban art'!
ReplyDeleteThanks for featuring it, Mr Pudding.
And here I must chuckle. My brother called me 'Pudding' for many a moon, but eventually reduced it to 'Pud', which nick name has stuck to this day.
I can also claim years of traditional Christmas Pudding making, thanks to a recipe passed down from my Granny, and can assure any readers watching their sugar intake, or weight, that one serving of it will not create 'a sensible diet 'overload. :-)
P.S. Let me know if you'd like a copy?