The Graffiti Project on Kelburn Castle
If you haven’t heard, there’s a unique project happening right now, here in Scotland. It’s called The Graffiti Project and the idea is simple…
Take the vibrant and often transient art form of Brazilian graffiti out of its predominantly urban context and apply it to the ancient and permanent walls of an historic rural castle in Scotland.
Four of the worlds’ top graffiti artists have been commissioned to paint Kelburn Castle with vibrant colours.
The project involves the artists and organisers living together in the Castle for approximately one month. New ideas are being explored and shared, from both sides of the equator, resulting in a one-off, giant piece of collaborative art.
History of Kelburn Castle
Kelburn is thought to be the oldest castle in Scotland to have been continuously inhabited by the same family. Orginally the family name was de Boyville but this changed over the years to Boyle. The de Boyvilles from Caen in Normandy came over to Britain with William the Conqueror in 1066 and the present branch of the family settled in Kelburn in 1140.
Nobody knows for certain when a stone building was first constructed on the site, but the original Norman Keep, designed for defence rather than comfort, was probably built by 1200. The original Norman Keep is now enclosed within a grander castle, completed in 1581 by the then Laird, David Boyle, at a time when the family was emerging from relative obscurity and beginning to wield some influence within the local community.
The present tenth Earl of Glasgow and his wife, Isabel, started Kelburn Country Centre in 1977, opening most of Kelburn’s grounds and gardens to the public and introducing new attractions.
Here’s a short video, showing the first week of timelapse footage for the project:
Fancy a trip?
I think it’s quite a novel way to catch peoples’ imagination and I’m hoping to head across for a look at the finished product. Kelburn Castle is 35 miles west of Glasgow, and overlooks the sea.
You can visit The Graffiti Project website here or take a look at the history of Kelburn Castle on the Kelburn Castle website.
Do you think it’s brightens the surroundings or spoils the historic castle?
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32 appreciated comments to “The Graffiti Project on Kelburn Castle”
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Interesting, and while it’s certainly true that many castles were brightly painted: How the hell did they get this past Historic Scotland et al? :shock:
It’s hard enough to keep the places standing when they get involved….
What a cool project! Of course, I am sitting here wondering whether they’re using washable paint or not? Surely it’s like when that guy wrapped the Reichstag in plastic wrap- eventually they’ll take it off? :)
His son and daughter came up with the idea, which they say has the support of all the locals.
What do you reckon, Chris? Sounds like you’re against the idea.
Apparently the artwork will remain on the walls for two years, by which time there’ll need to be some ‘rendering work’ (not sure what that refers to).
I think it’s wicked. I’d happily invite them to come and paint my house like that if they fancied it.
Not sure my ‘locals’ would be so supportive of the idea though.
That is so cool! As I watched the video I happily imagined them coming to my more modest abode and doing the same…even with permanent paint. And I live in the woods of New Hampshire, USA, the “live free or die” state, so no need even to get the support of the locals! :)
Maybe I’m the only one, but I don’t like it! I’ll get that out right away. Now let me explain…
I think the art itself is very interesting and something I could probably stare at it for hours! The part I don’t like is that it is on an historic landmark. If it were part of a park mural or something like that, it would be awesome. I just can’t get past the part where it kinda ruins the history of such an old castle. Here in the U.S. our stuff isn’t very old, and I think it would be something else to live in an area that had buildings almost 1,000 years old. I went to Antigua, Guatemala in high school and it was one of the most awe-inspiring parts, seeing those pre-earthquake ruins. I’ve never had the opportunity to visit Europe, but I know I would be disappointed to see that castle :( That is just my humble opinion.
I’ve given them a call and they can make it round in three weeks if that suits. Drop me an email.
Tammy,
They can visit New Hampshire in August. ;)
LaurenMarie,
The thing with the project is that the concrete of that particular section was in need of repair, so it was either coming off or being refurbished in some way.
My guess is that the refurbishment will still happen, just not for two years.
I can see where you’re coming from however. The history here in Scotland is so rich that it has an immense protection from government and councils. No-one wants to see the history tarnished. In this case however, as it’s temporary and so expressive, I really like it.
It’s like a healthy mix of past architecture and present creativity.
Very envious of your visit to Guatemala! Do you think you’ll make it Europe anytime soon?
I like the idea a lot. It helps make graffiti/urban art even more acceptable to the public and not some sort of vandalism. Although, after looking at some of the pics on the website it looks like the graffiti being painted on as of now isn’t the traditional kind (letter forms and text) where most are familiar with but often associated to vandalism. So maybe because of the non-traditional style, more mural/painting like graffiti, people are more acceptable of having it painted on the side of some historic castle. Still a cool idea though.
I think that’s a fantastic idea – although I too am surprised that it made it past the typically-anti-everything-like-that Scottish powers that be!
They can do my office when they’ve finished Aaron’s house! ;)
That is a great piece of artwork.. even though I love Graffiti quite a lot, I think it needs to be done on “private” walls that can be movable and displayed around the World.
Or would that mean the work of art is no longer Graffiti? Hmmm… this really got me thinking. I guess I need to make a post on this topic.
It’s a pretty cool idea, but for some reason I’m kind of upset with it. It’s cool and all and will bring in some tourists, and is “different” but, I also like my historic buildings to stay the way there are and untouched by modern man.
Holy cow – that’s horrible! :( Isn’t there some kind of old monument protection law? ;)
That said, pretty snazzy at the same time. Hehe…
- David
I know where you’re coming from, being upset. I think it’s important to remember that the walls being painted are in need of quite a major refurbishment. This will happen in two years’ time when my guess is that the artwork will disappear.
Well, if it will be restored to close to its original state in two years, I give my permission for them to finish the project ;) I won’t make it to Scotland before then anyway :(
I’ve just got off the phone with the artists and they express their thanks too.
Shame you can’t make it over anytime soon, but then that means you should see the castle in its former glory. ;)
I am with Ilker on this one. I like Graffiti, and I think it has no place on public walls. But this… is more than what I understand when I think about Graffiti and I like what I see. This is more mural painting than Graffiti. I don’t think it destroys anything. It will open the gates to controversy, yes, but this is a good thing because any controversial building becomes a highlight and more and more tourists will come to see it. In the end, if the initiative will not be successful, there’s always the possibility to repaint the walls in their original color.
Too many comments ;-)
Not against it without seeing it in the flesh David, just amazed they were allowed. It often seems to me that HS, NT etc. would rather see a place fall down than allow people to make it livable as they save it (Did you see a recent ‘Grand Designs’?).
Wow, it is quite different from what we are used to see on urban areas down here in Brazil.
Really nice pioneering work, awesome visual contrast against the monochromical landscape.
I heard the son of the owner of the castle on the radio here a couple of weeks ago and he seemed like a very open minded guy. I’m sure a lot of people were horrified at the thought of something like this, but I think it’s great that the were willing to take a chance on it.
Absolutely! The walls can always be repainted.
Chris,
I recently watched an episode of Grand Designs that showed a derelict Edinburgh home (more a shell of a home) that was renovated to an unbelievable standard!
Where was the building you’re talking about?
Jennifer,
I’m glad they took a chance on it, even though I’m coming across more and more disdain.
If it is in need of refurbishment, I don’t see why not, as long as it is reversible and the structure isn’t damaged. It’s temporary, so why not paint it?
However, I am slightly uncomfortable with painting a historic landmark. If anyone did that to Newcastle Keep I think I’d keel over!! As brilliant an artwork as it is, it just doesn’t look right. A much more appropriate artwork could have been designed, more in keeping with the local settings and the buildings.
But I applaud the owner for being so open-minded! I’d like to see some sculpture in the castle’s grounds, as a less risky art project :-)
The project is a great idea but why this castle?
My best mate is getting married there this year and they were not told of this project and now have to replan the whole photographs. I certainly wouldn’t want graffiti in my wedding photographs esp at the price she’s paying – which ain’t cheap.
From what i’ve heard they haven’t told any other wedding parties either.
I’m not against it, through work I regularly organise graffiti type projects for public spaces and the opposition is terrible at first. I don’t think that this is the best subject
I think the project is just amazing. We are currently engaging young people in graffitti art and we will visit this castle in early July. I sometimes wonder why we continue to live in the past – I truly understand the importance of history to help us understand who we are but isnt it a sign of the times that people use this identity to keep them living in that insular space we call our culture. More spaces should be made available for this work.
It’s a shame your friend wasn’t told of the project before their wedding arrangements. It’s just a small section of the castle but they should’ve been told.
Terry, minxlj,
Thanks for leaving your comments. Much appreciated.
Hi!
I find the reactions to the graffiti project fascinating! Some people love it while others are horrified. Personally i adore it!
I’m a 3rd year illustrator from dundee college of art and design, and i’m always being told ‘what is art’ and i find this project a real breath of fresh air. I’m doing my dissertartion on art projects such as these and i was wondering if there was any way you could put me in touch with the artists and/or the owners of the castle?
thanks for any help you can give me.
Stacey
I don’t know any of the artists personally, nor the castle owners. I suggest getting in touch with them through the contact details on their websites (links above).
What a great idea for a temporary public art installation. Another one! I think the contrast of the historic with the modern and the scale of the artwork is amazing. I really do wish I could get over to Scotland to see it.
TrishA
Thats a cool project! Wish there was more stuff like this going on in general… Living in Manchester… there is a little of this… but no legal walls etc : (
Yeah i think that is the illest idea ever.. I wanna help paint the castle..
Sad. Might does not make right. It really horrifies me, but heh, if the owners have that point of view… what can we do?
I work for Edinburgh City Cuncil and we are setting up graffiti workshops – we would love to get some of these artists involved?!