Many people who lived in Sydney in the early 1980s will remember Brian Westlake graffiti. Google those words and you'll see just a few websites that mention Brian Westlake. Some examples:
Brian Westlake spoke with French girls, who say they know him well
Brian Westlake is the alphabet
Brian Westlake eats his greens
Brian Westlake isn't sure about Presbyterianism
Brian Westlake's dingo did it
Brian Westlake is innocent
Brian Westlake cares
Brian Westlake is the one who tries to hide what he don't know to begin with
Brian Westlake admits that the waters around him have grown
Brian Westlake drops frozen turds
Brian Westlake roams the slopes with one stock waving free
The person, or some of the persons, unknown, almost certainly had an affection for Bob Dylan. I've highlighted in red certain phrases appropriated from Dylan songs.
It's been a long time since I've seen Brian Westlake graffiti in Sydney, or "MASONS OUT NOW" (with Masonic symbol, in black Texta Colour), which seemed to be in most coastal public toilets from the suburbs of Sydney to at least the Queensland border (nearly 1,000 kilometres of obscurantist crankiness) for 25 years or more. And DIK. Who was DIK? I knew a bloke who signed his name with the same tag -- I wonder if it was him or if he borrowed it from the energetic graffitist. All are sadly missed. Of course, none as much as Arthur Stace, Mister Eternity, still the indisputable doyen of the world's graffitists.
Brian Westlake, the fatted calf awaits -- no, fears -- your belated return from prodigality.
Categories: dylan, graffiti, sydney
Brian westlake was a paper person created by a group of high school students on the north shore. During the early 80's he was put through the HSC (Higher School Certificate) and passed, I am told, with flying colours.
ReplyDeleteThanks ... I would love to know more.
ReplyDeleteHe's resurfaced recently in Darlinghurst if you're keen to meet him
ReplyDeleteHe was enrolled at the school, teachers would ask where he was and would always be greeted with such responses as "oh he's got a music lesson today..."
ReplyDeleteHe features prominently on many of the school's programs for productions and concerts, aswell as being entered into the SC and HSC.
Some Brian Westlake graffiti has turned up just the last week or two, here in Darlinghurst. It's done with black texta on paper, stuck around with poster glue, saying things like 'Brian Westlake is on parole' and 'Brian Westlake made you lamingtons'
ReplyDeleteDid you ever find our more?
Brian Westlake is usually associated with Sydney Grammar School and the area around it. When I was at school there in the early 70s I remember seeing the graffiti on a regular basis. The one that sticks in my memory is "Brian Westlake comes here for his holidays"
ReplyDeleteThere are now new Brian Westlake posters around Hyde Park / Stanley St (next to Sydney Grammar where he was allegedly created)!
ReplyDeleteBrian Westlake is on parole
Brian Westlake made you lamingtons
Brian Westlake was an enigma at Trinity Grammar School. Brian was not created at Sydney Grammar. He was created as a 'quiet achiever' and was entered into the school system as far back as 1972. He sat for the HSC in 1976 and 1978. We even sent his regime away for jobs, together with a photo etc., which was actually the picture of a mannequin from Gowings in George St. This is true as I created the man way back then!!!
ReplyDeleteHow interesting??? Brian Westlake was actually created at Trinity Grammar School in 1972. He surfaced as our 'quiet achiever' into the education system. He sat for HSC in 1976 and again in 1978. We even sent away his regime for jobs etc. His photo was published back then using a mannequin's face from George St, Gowings store.
ReplyDelete