
Fake roadworks direct people to Guernsey art show
A street in Guernsey has been transformed as part of a one-day art exhibition.The project, called Diversion, used fake roadworks to redirect people towards Mansell Street, and into the Art for Guernsey gallery building, in St Peter Port Walls were painted by local and international artists for visitors to enjoy along the way.David Ummels, founder of Art for Guernsey, said they wanted to "bring new life" to the Old Quarter.
Mr Ummels said: "We have 14 international artists and 16 local artists working hand in hand to beautify the street and put this show on."Sadly some people have been surprised on their way to work, but we have been here to welcome them and explain it's only a joke for the day."So far lots of people have liked it, and it has been a way to put a smile on faces."One of those involved with the project was Belfast street artist Leo Boyd, who said the work was well-received.
Mr Boyd said: "This street had become derelict and abandoned, so being able to come back from Belfast and see it four days ago before we started was a bit of a surprise," he said."Since then we've completely changed everything, and how people look at the street."We're getting a lot of positive comments from people who say Guernsey needs it, and so does this street."
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BBC News
5 hours ago
- BBC News
Fake roadworks direct people to Guernsey art show
A street in Guernsey has been transformed as part of a one-day art project, called Diversion, used fake roadworks to redirect people towards Mansell Street, and into the Art for Guernsey gallery building, in St Peter Port Walls were painted by local and international artists for visitors to enjoy along the Ummels, founder of Art for Guernsey, said they wanted to "bring new life" to the Old Quarter. Mr Ummels said: "We have 14 international artists and 16 local artists working hand in hand to beautify the street and put this show on."Sadly some people have been surprised on their way to work, but we have been here to welcome them and explain it's only a joke for the day."So far lots of people have liked it, and it has been a way to put a smile on faces."One of those involved with the project was Belfast street artist Leo Boyd, who said the work was well-received. Mr Boyd said: "This street had become derelict and abandoned, so being able to come back from Belfast and see it four days ago before we started was a bit of a surprise," he said."Since then we've completely changed everything, and how people look at the street."We're getting a lot of positive comments from people who say Guernsey needs it, and so does this street."


Metro
6 hours ago
- Metro
Charles Bronson 'thrilled' to become godparent to girl, 6
Charles Bronson has become godfather to a six-year-old girl whose mum is campaigning for the long-serving prisoner's release. The notorious inmate has struck up a relationship with Maisie Mcneice and her daughter Angel, who have been in regular contact with him. Maisie, 25, from Primrose Hill, north London, is gathering support for his release and is organising a show displaying his artwork. She talks to the 72-year-old every day on the phone and feels she can trust him to look out for Angel, who has also exchanged letters with Bronson. Maisie said: 'They talk to each other all the time on the phone and he adores Angel. 'They've always had a good relationship, he sends her letters and art and she's sent him letters and her own art as well. 'They've always had a nice little relationship and I know I can trust Charlie completely.' Bronson, who has changed his name to Charles Salvador, left Maisie a voicemail saying 'I take it very, very seriously being a godparent' and he is going to take Angel 'to some lovely places' when he is released. He describes Maisie – who has visited Bronson over the past year – as a 'lovely' person who makes up for 'all the pain and misery' in the world. 'Charlie is thrilled at becoming Angel's godfather, it's not just something that he is putting his name to, he is taking it seriously,' Maisie said. Bronson has spent 51 years in prison after first being jailed for armed robbery, before having his term repeatedly extended for attacks on prison staff and inmates. He has taken 11 people hostage. However the admin worker wants the art show in London to reflect the 'positives' in Bronson's life, from his childhood up to the present. The former bare knuckle fighter, who is being held at HMP Woodhill in Buckinghamshire, is preparing for a ninth parole hearing which is due to take place in October. He is one of the UK's longest-serving prisoners. In September 2024, he told Metro that 'my soul is good' and 'I've got no regrets' as he made the case for his release. He said: 'The people outside will go, oh, Charlie, never get out. 'He doesn't want to get out. Look what he's done there. 'Well, let me tell you something – I haven't done nothing bad for the last nearly 10 years. I've practically been a model prisoner. 'And that's down to my art. And I'm bloody proud of it.' Maisie has started a petition to grant Bronson his freedom, believing his long sentence is not 'necessary or justifiable.' Her family knew Bronson's family from Luton, with Maisie's mum initiating contact before her daughter began visiting and speaking on the phone. 'I think he deserves a chance which no one has given him for so long,' Maisie said. More Trending The Charles Salvador Bronson Art Exhibition! takes place at the Karma Sanctum Soho London on July 11, with visitors promised the chance to 'explore his raw and captivating pieces'. Entry is free but the proceeds from sales of art and merchandise will go to the Born For Art charity which Bronson co-founded. Do you have a story you would like to share? Contact MORE: Charles Bronson 'calls up pub to sing Frank Sinatra' during karaoke night MORE: Charles Bronson reveals his most memorable inmates during his 50 years inside MORE: High-tech 82ft laser shield could stop drones being flown into British prisons


The Independent
7 hours ago
- The Independent
Mini creations by Swedish artists 'Anonymouse,' dubbed 'Banksy Mouse,' go from street to museum
After nine years scurrying in the shadows, the two-person Swedish street art collective known as 'Anonymouse' — dubbed 'Banksy Mouse' by Swedish media — has finally stepped out of the dark and into a museum exhibition. The mystery began in late 2016 when miniature homes and businesses, all measuring well below knee height, began appearing on the streets of southern Sweden. It looked like a bunch of mice had opened a tiny restaurant named 'Il Topolino' and a neighboring nut delicatessen 'Noix de Vie." There was no clue as to who created them besides a signature from anonymous artist group 'Anonymouse.' The following years saw more mouse homes and businesses appear in unexpected places: First in Sweden, then all over the world from the U.K. to Canada. The original creation on Bergsgatan, a busy street in Malmö, quickly attracted attention and went viral, drawing crowds. The project was even featured on the popular U.S. TV show "The Late Late Show with James Corden." The two artists behind the whiskery art project stepped out of their anonymity earlier this year. Swedes Elin Westerholm and Lupus Nensén both work in show business, making props and sets for film and television. 'The sweet part is that we're building something for children. Most of us have some kind of relationship to a world where mice live parallel to ours,' said Nensén, citing numerous child-focused fairy tales. On Friday, a selection of the duo's creations went on display at the Skissernas Museum in Lund, a short trip from Malmö, to celebrate nine years of 'mouse pranks and creativity.' Far-ranging mouse builders The duo say the idea for 'Anonymouse' came during a trip to Paris in 2016. Sitting in the French capital's Montmartre district, they soaked up Art Nouveau influences. Their first creation took six months to build, before they secretively installed it on Bergsgatan one cold, dark night. 'It's amazing to see a 70-year-old come over with crutches, and people help them down and have a look,' said Nensén. 'It really does bring out the child in everyone.' The artists have since created a mini pharmacy in the Swedish city of Lund, a pastry shop near Stockholm, a castle on the Isle of Man, and a radio studio in Quebec, Canada. The duo created between two and three projects a year. Record store 'Ricotta Records,' which the pair installed in Lund in 2020, features tiny, mouse-sized record covers, such as 'Back to Brie' by Amy Winemouse and 'Goodbye Yellow Cheese Roll' by Stilton John. Westerholm said "part of the game is taking something that's a bit dumb really seriously.' 'We spent a lot of time coming up with mice and cheese puns over the years," Nensén said. A sense of adventure The museum's exhibit rooms host six miniature worlds, once secretly installed on nearby Swedish streets, as well as sketches and preparatory works from the archives. The exhibit will run until late August. 'They are hidden, they are not in common areas where you would expect an artwork. There's one in the basement, one on a balcony, and so on,' exhibit curator Emil Nilsson said. 'I hope (visitors) take away a sense of adventure when they enter the museum looking for these hidden miniature worlds.' After revealing their identities earlier this year, Westerholm and Nensén announced their mouse building adventures were over, bringing an end to the viral street art project. 'It's been nine years," said Westerholm. "It's time to end it, I think.' Anonymouse won't return. But will the duo never build anything small in a public place again? 'We never know, we can't promise anything,' Westerholm said.