Here we are taking a look at one of the two lovely additions to Penge placed up from the absolutely amazing day we had a couple of months ago on our ‘Anythings Better Than A Blank Wall’ Street Art tour of SprayExhibition20 in memory of Gordon Gibbens who we recently learned sadly passed away in 2017 aged 86 after spending the previous two decades documenting graffiti and street art around London and beyond. In 2012 Gordon was diagnosed with Cancer and spent the next five years never giving up on his love of getting out and about to photograph some fresh works. The inspiring story of Gordon Gibbens has been told in a beautifully put together book entitled ‘How Graffiti Saved My Dad’s Life (At Least For A While)’ by his daughter Jane Murphy which tells the story of her Dad’s love of Graffiti & Street Art. The book tells a moving story with such love, strength and humour and all accompanied by a fantastic selection of some of Gordon’s photos. All proceeds from the book are going to St Christopher’s Hospice from where Gordon made some of his final graffiti ventures and the tour we put on was to raise funds for the hospice. You can learn more about Gordon’s story (covered here) but the book is definitely worth getting for the true insight in to Gordon’s determined character.

Not only did we get treated to two superb new artworks, as well as have a lovely time showing off all the wonderful artworks around SE20 in Gordon’s memory, with people traveling from all around the country and even from Brussels to endure virtually every known weather condition. But with the generosity of everyone who turned out we helped raise £377.20 including a further 16 book sales of ‘How Graffiti Saved My Dad’s Life (At Least For a While)’ with all proceeds going to St Christopher’s Hospice in neighbouring Sydenham from where Gordon made some of his final Graffiti ventures.

The second of the two new artworks placed up for the occasion that we are taking a look at here is the beautiful work ‘Ravenscroft’ by Airborne Mark who was both a friend of Gordon Gibbens for many years and been one of the earliest supporters of the project we run in Penge. It is for both these reasons that it seemed only fitting that if anyone was going to paint an artwork for Gordon, in recognition of his time on the scene and being one of the very first people to come out to see and share the artworks appearing in Penge, it should be Airborne Mark, who immediately agreed would be a lovely idea and was more than happy to do.

So we decided on a location taking to a spot a little further afield from the main hub of Penge’s art scene, to somewhere as close as we could get to the home of Gordon’s daughter and son-in-law, Jane and Tom. Unfortunately for Mark that left him with either some small or awkward spots, fortunately that didn’t prove a problem for Airborne Mark who took his rather broken up spot and came up with a fantastic design. Taking inspiration from the name of the street Airborne Mark decided to fold a origami raven which he then photographed with contrasting blue and purple lights – breaking from his prevalent blue and orange colour scheme, substituting the purple to capture the blues and purples hues one sees glimmering on a seemingly all black Raven – which he then set perfectly between the intrusive road sign and cable box.  In addition to this excellent centre piece Airborne Mark encompassed the wall behind and above the street wall now featuring ‘Ravenscroft’ – as well as a touching tribute to Gordon Gibbens from Airborne Mark – with a whole gang of smaller origami ravens set on the power lines which were magnificently placed to tie in with the hanging barbed wire above the front wall. One other of note beyond how fantastic this artwork is, all the more credit to Airborne Mark who endured an extreme range of harsh of weather conditions over the two weekends he spent painting this work.

Everything about this wall is so beautiful. Airborne Mark took a difficult spot in the most appropriate location and delivered an incredible design making first rate use of the space available. This wall was dedicated to Gordon Gibbens by Airborne Mark and for as long as we have permission to maintain this space it will remain as a wall dedicated to Gordon Gibbens, a true credit to the scene. This beautiful work can be found in Ravenscroft Road (Elmers End Road end).

Big thank you to the owners of the Blue Sea Fish Bar for allowing us to get Airborne Mark to add something so beautiful to their property – and keeping us well fed in the cold. As well as a big thank you to Jane and Tom for helping with carrying ladders and paint – and keeping us well fed in the cold. We also would like to offer a big thanks to Airborne Mark for again coming down to Penge to add this beautiful work to the area for someone who truly deserves it “In Loving Memory of Gordon Gibbens”.

Airborne Mark at work on his initial outlines.

Airborne Mark at work at the end of his first day on the wall.

Airborne Mark taking time out from his work to discuss his folds and why he was putting the work up in memory of Gordon Gibbens to the amazing crowd who turned out for the day. Work-in-progress from Giusi Tomasello and work from DRT x Coloquix in shot also.

Airborne Mark adding his dedication to Gordon Gibbens.

Airborne Mark adding his dedication to Gordon Gibbens.

Airborne Mark adding his dedication to Gordon Gibbens.

Airborne Mark at work.

Airborne Mark at work.

Airborne Mark at work on his final day working the spot – one mercifully free of rain, hail stones and extreme winds.

Airborne Mark at work.

Airborne Mark’s origami reference model.

Airborne Mark’s origami reference model.

Airborne Mark’s origami reference model.

Airborne Mark at work.

Airborne Mark at work.

Airborne Mark at work adding the finishing touches to the piece.

The stunning finished piece encompassing two walls and some barbed wire.

“In Loving Memory Of Goron Gibbens”.

Airborne Mark sat with his outstanding finished work placed up in memory of Gordon Gibbens.

You can also view this superbly produced video by Airborne Mark of the full construction of ‘Ravenscroft’ for Gordon Gibbens.

The beautifully presented book ‘How Graffiti Saved My Dad’s Life (At Least For a While)’ about Gordon’s passion for Graffiti is only £6.99 with all proceeds being donated to St Christopher’s Hospice in Sydenham, South London. Not only is it a moving and inspiring story full of great pictures and superbly written, it is also for a good cause. Should you be interested you can purchase your copy here:

https://colossivepress.bigcartel.com/product/how-graffiti-saved-my-dad-s-life