On the side of the Grand Wall Bouldering Cooperative is a striking piece of stencil art painted by Squamish resident ‘MaryMary’.
MaryMary has been cutting stencils for the better part of a decade. Originally inspired by Banksy and subsequently influenced by other ‘street’ and stencil artists like C215, Roa, JR, David Choe, Logan Hicks and Faith 147; MaryMary’s aim is to add something that adds a value to a location and community. His pieces are often site specific and planned and designed as such.
“I like the idea that someone might stumble upon a piece that I’ve made and be entertained,” he explains. “To find some of my work though, you might have to be in the right place, at the right time, with open eyes.”
Some of his pieces have remained in place for years, whereas others have disappeared within 24-hours. He accepts this is part of the process with unsolicited work, adding both a level of excitement and mystery to his work. Originally from North Wales, he stenciled images of miners deep into an old slate quarry to pay tribute to the people who lost their lives in the mines. Being moveable pieces of rock these have disappeared over the years and are likely gracing a few intrepid hiker’s mantlepieces.
MaryMary likes the freedom and wildness of his art and so do we. They add a slice of the enigmatic to the every day, a bit of irreverence in places you wouldn’t expect. You can view more of his work and communicate with him via instagram @marymary.art
Did You Know
His distinctive name comes from his sister’s consumptive disgust at his spotty, contrary opinions. Fighting explosions of exasperation, she would sneer, ‘Oh Shut Up, Mary’ and other things a little more colourful.
