Artwork title: Strength lives in differences, not similarities
Artist: Maxine Sims
The No Offence Fence began in 2018 as a response to some bullying graffiti that appeared on a residents fence in Portishead, Somerset. Upset that her property had been vandalised to bully someone, the home owner covered the graffiti and wrote a message back asking for words of support and positivity instead. Within weeks 100s of kind and uplifting messages had been contributed from the local community. The story was covered by BBC Bristol and The Happy Newspaper among others, and the concept has toured school assemblies, youth groups and museums, encouraging others to be an upstander and not a bystander. Today it continues to exist as a beacon of positivity in the community.
How to get involved
Step 1: Bring a pen along with you of any colour or type, markers work best but a biro will work as well.
Step 2: Write a positive message anywhere on our pop-up fence, it could be your own words, a lyric, a poem, a saying or a little doodle. Just as long as it’s something that would cheer you up.
Step 3: Remember to socially distance whilst near the fence, the 3 sides mean you can spread out your messages and stay safe.
Step 4: Sanitise your hands before and after you touch the fence.
Step 5: Take a photo of your message and share it on social media, tag us so we can share it too.
Instagram:
- @artistsclubhouse
- @the_no_offence_fence
Facebook:
@weareartistsclubhouse
@nowweretalking
Next stop: The Kiln, Copenhagen Street