A graffiti campaign ‘inspired by love’ has been taking Salford by storm.
Homemade spraypainted banners proclaiming ‘You Are Beautiful’ and ‘Be Happy’ have been spotted on the Crescent near Salford University and at the Lowry Hotel bridge – before the latter was taken down by an apparently disgruntled staff member.
The Salford Smiles project is shrouded in mystery. Even when approached by SalfordOnline.com the artist was unwilling to reveal their identity, age or gender, but did give us an insight into the inspiration behind the project.
They told us: “I know if I saw the sign it would have made me smile, so it’s such a lovely feeling knowing it’s been making other people smile too!”
But they revealed it was not a team of people behind Salford Smiles, just a single student living in the city who wants to ‘spread the love in Salford’.
All it took to share the positive message was a £6.95 can of pink spraypaint, a bit of string, and a box full of used cardboard.
“I was set a brief to do something bad for a good reason,” they said. “Graffiti has a lot of mixed opinions. Some see it as art and some say an eyesore.
“I love Salford, I live here. Equally I love spreading positivity, but unfortunately you can’t reach everyone. This way I used graffiti.”
Commuters and passers-by started tweeting pictures using the #salfordsmiles hashtag after spotting a ‘Think Positive’ sign on Chapel Street and one that said simply ‘Smile’ near Salford Central train station.
“You are beautiful” and they say Salford isn’t nice 🙂 #salford #commute #fridayfeeling pic.twitter.com/9vdCOFUKZW
— Beth Cunniffe (@BethCunniffe) July 3, 2015
@SalfordSmiles loving the banner on the bridge nice to share a bit of happiness definitely made me smile #Salfordsmile x
— BSB Reps (@bsbrochure) July 2, 2015
you are beautiful – #salfordcrescent @SalfordUni pic.twitter.com/3ekpNq5jZ6
— Fiona Christie (@FCChristie) June 29, 2015
The response hasn’t all been good, the artist said: “It’s all been great except the first sign I put out last Thursday on the Lowry bridge.
“One woman opened her window and said ‘do we seriously have to look at that?’ I walked past a few hours later and a man was taking it down.
“To be honest, I was surprised it lasted as long as it did, I thought it would be taken down sooner.
“I’ve had a few unhappy moments and I know how a simple message can really lift your spirits and make you think.
“I don’t want to litter, so I will come and take the You Are Beautiful one down soon.
“In regards to the man, deep down, I don’t think he wanted to take the sign down. He’s forgiven!”
So what would be the message to anyone who felt inspired by this short-lived artwork?
“I’d say the one thing I’ve learnt from this is that if you want to hang a sign, chances are it will stay up longer than you might think.
“I was actually sat at the bus stop today watching people walk past and look at it. So for anyone who wants to spread positivity…People do see it.
“If you ever have the opportunity to spread love in life, do it. It just might make their day.
“And to be honest, this was a really simple and relatively quick technique. There’s plenty of railings in the world, you’ve just got to it!
Is there more positivity to come? It appears Salford Smiles is over for now; but the artist promises if people enjoyed the work, “I’ll see what I can do.”
Main image: @NatureInSalford/Luke Blazejewski
