I’ve noticed a shift in the types of stickers that are slapped up in the spaces I spend my time in over the last few years, and it’s made me think of their importance. And in realising this importance, I’ve decided to join in.
Previously, I thought of stickers as a super quick and discreet way for an artist to get a tag or some of their art up on a wall. The chances of being spotted leaving a sticker behind under the palm of your hand is close to zero, and you can prepare them in advance. They’re also not particularly destructive or permanent, so rate less highly on the (my?) vandalism scale.
In the last years I’ve seen an increase in political stickers, and I think they are great. When I move through neighbourhoods and areas I pay attention to the stickers that I see, and their messages. It gives me a sense of the type of area I’m in. I also pay attention to the stickers that have been scratched, defaced, and over-pasted. This also gives me insight.
It’s no secret that I fall on the left side of politics. Proudly. Seeing stickers and paste-ups by the NSN and other right-wing groups, racists, and cookers is upsetting, but they give me an opportunity to show those targeted by these stickers and paste-ups that they aren’t alone. Covering up, defacing, and scratching their hate shows everyone that there are people in the area who are opposed to this. People who will do something.
We had a run of NSN graffiti and stickers in my suburb a couple of years ago – in the lead-up to the last federal election. Stylised versions of their logo. Stickers with white supremacist slogans. They were quickly removed, or covered up, and seem to have lost their resolve when it comes to advertising their existence. At least in this area.
So here’s my suggestion: get some antifascist stickers printed. You can grab some of my designs or make your own. Carry them with you, and if you see something hateful, or want to signal to those passing through that space that they aren’t alone, stick one up.
Below are some stickers that I found around the place. Only in one place did I notice a right-wing sticker on top of a lefty. I’ll start with that one – it was in Trento, Italy.
