Graffiti War Erupts on London’s Brick Lane Over Controversial Socialist Core Values
A famous graffiti wall on Brick Lane, a renowned art street in East London, became the center of a contentious graffiti war after it was covered in white paint with red Chinese characters spelling out the 12 Socialist Core Values on August 5, 2023. Known for its vibrant street art scene, Brick Lane was transformed into a battleground for different communities, triggering strong reactions worldwide.
The 12 Socialist Core Values were introduced by former Chinese President Hu Jintao in 2012 and further developed by his successor, Xi Jinping. However, many of these values, such as online censorship, crackdowns on the private sector, repression of ethnic minority cultures, and national security measures, are considered oppressive and have faced criticism.
The propaganda graffiti was orchestrated by three mainland Chinese students from the Royal College of Art in London. The mastermind, known as Yique, defended the action on Instagram, using abstract terms like logocentrism and orientalism to evoke the history of Western colonialism. Yique claimed their intention was to challenge the perceived cultural dominance of the West and expose the inequality and exploitation hidden within.
The response to the graffiti has been polarizing. Australian-Chinese political cartoonist Badiucao condemned the act as disrespectful, creating a satirical artwork depicting a panda urinating on a graffiti wall. However, others, such as Chinese breaking news blogger Teacher Li, appreciated the realistic portrayal of China, believing it was a more powerful representation than official government advertisements. The graffiti ignited a sense of patriotism among some mainland Chinese viewers.
The diaspora communities from Hong Kong, Tibet, and mainland China, who have experienced China’s oppressive policies, joined the graffiti war to express their dissent. Initially, those from Hong Kong and mainland China subverted the meaning of the 12 core values by adding characters or images to contradict them. Chinese feminists and LGBTQ+ activists further contributed by painting a bleeding vagina and writing slogans challenging patriarchy and totalitarianism.
Tibetan and Mongolian activists also seized the opportunity to criticize China’s oppressive ethnic policies through their own graffiti. The act gained some initial support on social media platforms, but as more interpreted it as political satire or deceptive patriotism, discussions pertaining to the graffiti were censored.
Yique, the curator behind the graffiti, later disclosed that they were targeted by online forces threatening their safety and that of their family. The identity of these extreme forces was not specified, but it is believed to be a clash between mainland Chinese patriots and anti-China diaspora.
On August 7, the Tower District Council intervened and erased the political graffiti by painting over it with gray paint. However, activists continue to leave protest messages on the wall, ensuring the graffiti war persists. The clash of opinions and perspectives surrounding the graffiti showcases the divisions and tensions within the Chinese diaspora community.
As the controversy unfolds, the graffiti war on Brick Lane heralds an ongoing battle over conflicting values and ideologies. Brick Lane, known for embracing cultural diversity and artistic expression, has transformed into a visual manifestation of the complex dynamics between China, its diaspora communities, and the ideologies they embody. The graffiti war serves as a reflection of the broader political and social discourse surrounding China’s policies and their impact on different communities around the world.
China Deviants, a mainland Chinese diaspora NGO based in London, documented the evolving state of Brick Lane, showcasing the ongoing battle of ideas. The graffiti war captures the struggle for freedom of expression and highlights the power of art as a medium for dissent and social commentary.
