Title: “Jævla Homo!” – The Pansy Project
- Creator: Paul Harfleet
- Date Created: September 2019
- Location Created: Øvre Holmegate 27, 4006 Stavanger, Norway
- Rights: ©Nuart Festival, ©Paul Harfleet
Paul Harfleet: Planting Pansies, Cultivating Change
- Creator: Paul Harfleet
- Base: London, United Kingdom
- Professions: Artist, Writer, Designer
- Mission: Turning sites of homophobic abuse into gardens of resilience
The Pansy Project: Cultivating Dialogue through Flowers
For over 15 years, London-based artist, writer, and designer Paul Harfleet has been using the power of pansies to confront and counteract homophobia. The Pansy Project, his brainchild, involves planting pansies—innocent garden flowers sharing a name with a homophobic slur—at locations where LGBTQ+ individuals have experienced abuse.
Stavanger Blossoms: The Pansy Project at Nuart Festival 2019
In September 2019, Paul Harfleet took The Pansy Project to Stavanger, Norway, as part of the renowned Nuart Festival. The project, titled “Jævla Homo!” (translated as “Damn Homo!”), unfolded at Øvre Holmegate 27, 4006 Stavanger, leaving a floral mark against prejudice.
Painting Pansies: A Visual Dialogue of Defiance
Harfleet’s method involves painting solitary pansies at the very sites of homophobic and transphobic attacks. In Stavanger, he chose to elevate the impact by adding paint to the flowers. This seemingly simple act transcends traditional floral symbolism, transforming the pansy into a potent symbol of rebellion. Through vibrant colors, Harfleet challenges viewers to contemplate the power of flora as a tool of resistance.
From Pain to Progress: Personal Histories on Walls
Each painted pansy tells a unique and poignant story, marking the specific locations where members of the LGBTQ+ community have faced violence. The wall at Øvre Holmegate 27, 4006 Stavanger, becomes a canvas for the personal histories of those affected, creating a visual archive of resilience and perseverance.
Solidarity in Petals: The Pansy as a Symbol of Hope
By choosing the pansy, a flower with its own cultural significance, Harfleet ingeniously turns a derogatory term into a symbol of hope and resistance. The painted pansies stand not only as artworks but as powerful statements of solidarity, prompting conversations about violence against the LGBTQ+ community and the need for societal growth.
The Rights to Resilience: Documenting the Journey
The visual chronicle of “Jævla Homo!” – The Pansy Project at Øvre Holmegate 27, 4006 Stavanger, is captured through the lenses of both the ©Nuart Festival and ©Paul Harfleet, ensuring the preservation of this impactful act of street art.
Conclusion: Painting Change, One Pansy at a Time
In conclusion, Paul Harfleet’s “Jævla Homo!” – The Pansy Project in Stavanger stands as a testament to the transformative power of art. By using painted pansies, Harfleet not only challenges societal norms but cultivates a visual language of resilience, encouraging dialogue, and fostering growth in the face of adversity.
I am a mural enthusiast and a fervent admirer of street art. Rather than creating murals myself, I am passionate about collecting them. My love for street art knows no bounds. I am dedicated to curating and cherishing these artworks that grace the streets. My collection stands as a testament to my profound appreciation for this form of artistic expression.
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