😴 Sleepy Street Art

Have you seen the faces?

Monochromatic faces appeared around Finchley in recent months.

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These sad (some might say enigmatic) faces are spray-painted onto disposable objects.

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Abandoned mattresses, sheets of plywood, and discarded furniture have had the artistic treatment.

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And this week – the first installation with text, exhorting us to SLEEP ON IT.

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The works are hard to define. Not quite graffiti, not formally public art, but something to make us smile when we pass by. It's a very different style to Ben Wilson who creates art out of discarded chewing gum in Muswell Hill.

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Where are they?

The beating heart of this project lies around Finchley Central station (see what we did there, with the subtle mattress reference?). There are installations along Station Road, Lichfield Grove, extending up Dollis Park.

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The work has also radiated towards Henley’s Corner and Squires Lane. If you’ve seen any installations further afield, do let us know.

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What does it mean?

Street art has an ephemeral quality. Our local artist creates thoughtful, site-specific installations that leave no permanent mark.

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Is the work a meditation on impermanence, a commentary on our throwaway society?

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Is the artist asking us to think about the circular economy? How might we recycle and reuse, rather than discard?

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Or do these faces invite reflection on the quiet struggles in our community?

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Repetition has emerged as a hallmark of the work. We see the same face. Perhaps an artist’s signature, despite the anonymity?

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Who is Fanksy?

We’ve been calling her/him/they Fanksy (Finchley’s Banksy). We’d love to hear your suggestions for other names.

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While we respect the artist’s anonymity, the work has a controlled, skilled hand. It seems more adult than teenager.

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And the one with text has a typographical sophistication that implies maturity.

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We’re not looking to find Fanksy.

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Artists need solitude to do their best work.

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But we are curious about their goals and message...

Events

Monday 9 October

​A celebration of black culture with Baroness Lola Young | Monday, Oct. 9 | The Ann Owens Centre - Age UK Barnet, Oak Lane London N2 8LT | Free | To mark Black History Month - an afternoon of music, dance, food, and spoken word.

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Tuesday 10 October

​Bulb-lasagne 'Plant & Take Home' Workshop | Tuesday, Oct. 10 | 13:00 p.m. to 14:00 p.m. | Community Plot, Whetstone Stray Allotments, Holden Road, N12 7DX | Free | Plant and layer eighteen pollinator-friendly bulbs in a pot to take home, will flower beautifully from early spring to late summer 2024.

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Wednesday 11 October

​Boxers' Home Show | Wednesday, Oct. 11 | Starts at 19:30 p.m. | Barnet Amateur Boxing Club, Ewan Hall, Wood Street, EN5 | Adults £15 Kids £10 | These amateur boxers are rising stars in the sport and potential future world champions.

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​Interview Skills Workshop | Wednesday, Oct 11 | 09:30 a.m. - 12:30 a.m. | Work Avenue, Redbourne Avenue. N3 2BS | Free (but must book) | Topics include: preparation for interview, SWOT analysis and practice questions.

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​Oysland | Wednesday, Oct. 11 | 19:00 p.m. | artsdepot | Pay what you decide | A 5-piece London Klezmer band. Serving an exuberant and soulful cocktail of wedding tunes and lamenting lullabies. Swooping with panache through centuries of forgotten music.

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Thursday 12 October

​James Lakeland Sample Sale | 12-22 Oct. |9:00 to 18:00 | 99 Great North Road N2 0FB | Free | Local luxury womenswear designer James' sample sale. Weekdays 9-6, Sat 11 - 5, Sun 12 - 5. Grab a bargain.

Local Lowdown

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TV

• Lights, Camera, Spooks. Local film producer Jonny Persey, the director of MetFilm, exec-produced 'The Enfield Poltergeist'. It’s a four-part documentary exploring paranormal activity in an ordinary North London family home in 1977. It premiers on Apple TV+ on October 27. Just in time for Halloween.

Schools

• RAAC and ruin? Bishop Douglass School Catholic School in East Finchley tackles the concrete conundrum. The Sixth Form Centre and some classrooms relocated to portacabins. Labour candidate Sarah Sackman visited the school last week.

Books

• Unleash your kids’ imagination. The Little Library at No. 7 has launched. This initiative is all about sharing literary love. It's aimed at primary school children. Take a book and leave a book. Enjoy other children's pre-loved stories. Knock on and speak to Jude for tips. 7 Princes Avenue N3.

Civic

• Get Ready for a Revamp. Barnet Council is transforming ​North Finchley Town Centre ​in partnership with Regal JP. The plans for the Lodge Lane Car Park are up for discussion on Oct 11 + 12 at Arts Depot. More info: ​northfinchley@regal-london.co.uk.​

Jobs

• Heritage Project Evaluation Officer. Finchley’s oldest Church, St. Mary's at Finchley is on a quest to deliver four heritage engagement projects. Join as an Evaluation Officer and support your community. Apply now, closes 12 Oct.

Entertainment

• Magic in the air. Marvin Berglas, Finchley's very own magical maestro and founder of Marvin's Magic, has been elected as the new president of The Magic Circle. He follows the path of his dad, David. Marvin's the VIP magician for Arsenal FC. Congrats on the new magical reign.

The Finchleyite - Melinda Simmons

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Dame Melinda Simmons has recently returned from her Ambassadorship in Kyiv. The Finchley-dweller was His Majesty’s Ambassador to Ukraine until August this year.

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During her four-year term, she worked through many challenges. There was covid, a change of three UK prime ministers, the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and the coronation of King Charles III. Most significantly there was the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

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She was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (DCMG) in the 2023 New Year Honours for services to British foreign policy.

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Melinda is of Polish, Lithuanian and Ukrainian heritage. She spent eight months perfecting her fluent Ukranian before she took up the posting.

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She’s spoken at public events since returning to London, including the Guild of Food Writers awards.

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Welcome home, Melinda.

Editors' Note

Hey Finchley neighbours. We have been absolutely bowled over with the signups, thank yous, feedback, events, and suggestions.

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You’re showing us what community is really about, please keep it coming.

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If you know any published local writers or exhibited artists, we’d love to hear from you, working on some future lead stories.

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Let us know about local events here, or email us with any projects or ideas you'd like us to write about.

Tessa Davis Sasha Frieze