Street artist responds following removal of artwork on Edinburgh “banana flats” and “graffiti” investigation

AN ANONYMOUS Scottish street artist responsible for a mural on Edinburgh’s famous “banana flats” has responded to allegations of “vandalism”. 

The Rebel Bear used a cherry picker to paint the controversial Falling in Love artwork on the wall of the famous Cables Wynd block of flats, which depicted two lovers embracing as they fall through the sky. 

The artist had obtained permission from the council for the artwork, but not from residents of the building, who vehemently rejected the artwork after its placement, due to perceived associations with suicide and domestic violence. 

It was widely reported that the artist did not seek permission or feedback from residents of Cables Wynd, but they have now responded to the extensive coverage and backlash, claiming that they made numerous attempts to seek permission from residents. 

The Rebel Bear claims that at “at no point” during consultation “was there even a suggestion that the piece may cause upset to anyone – if there had been, I simply would not have done it”. 

The Rebel Bear posted to their Instagram story screenshots of numerous emails sent to the resident’s group of Cables Wynd – which went unanswered – as well as a friendly exchange of messages with the residents’ Facebook page. 

A representative of the artist even attended a “fun day” featuring a bouncy castle organised by residents in a local park, during which the artwork was discussed. 

When correspondence between a representative of the artist and tenants got off the ground, the person running the Facebook page for residents responded positively to images of a piece the artist previously painted on the corner of Henderson Street and Duke Street. 

She had said: “Personally, I love this work, it makes me happy when I see it at the corner of Henderson Street and Duke Street.” 

She did, however, express reservations about whether the artwork would receive planning permission: “I think it will be down to the powers that be because Cables Wynd is Grade A listed which means that the architects cannot change the facade either in the upcoming retrofit. 

“I appreciate your artist wants to be seen, but there may be more scope within the building, corridors, landings, foyers.” 

They then went on to discuss the upcoming “fun day”, which was slated to be attended by architects ahead of the block’s planned retrofit. 

The Rebel Bear’s representative said: “Is there any way I could get a mandate from the people who live at Cables Wynd to say that they want the mural, not sure if there is a board of people who could vote on it or something?” 

To which the Cables Wynd representative responded: “There’s only a very few (sic) residents who participate in anything. 

“I’m hoping that tomorrow will be different as we don’t have an agenda. I can chat a bit about that tomorrow.” 

It is unclear where discussions went from here. 

In a later message, however, it emerged that the Cables Wynd representative did not live there. 

Instead, her boyfriend lives there, and she attends residents’ meetings to make up numbers. 

From the period of the original planning application for the artwork and the time that the artwork was granted permission on 28 April, time was given for residents to submit letters of approval or disapproval. 

Two letters of support were lodged, with one stating that it would make the brutalist architecture more aesthetically pleasing, while two letters of objection were submitted. 

One letter of objection merely thought The Rebel Bear’s art was banal and overrated, and another was concerned about alterations to the facade more generally. 

One neutral letter was submitted, urging the artist to consult further with the Cables Wynd Residents’ Association. 

Not one letter of objection mentioned the idea that the artwork might be associated with domestic violence and suicide and may distress residents of the block. 

All this contradicts the statement of the Cables Wynd residents’ group on Facebook that the artist was “repeatedly told” that the artwork was offensive. 

The Rebel Bear expressed surprise at the negative reception of the mural, as they claim that a similar work on the side of a building in Glasgow is one of their best received pieces. 

On their Instagram story, the artist added: “To any residents that did not like or felt upset by the piece: 

“I’m sure I could of (sic) done more to reach out, and I will learn from that. 

“But I assure you I did try, and there was never a moment when I thought this piece would be taken as anything but positively.” 

The artwork was painted over earlier this week. 

Police have said that enquiries are ongoing.

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