‘WE’RE A MOVEMENT BEYOND REBELLION’
Mysterious artist ‘John Frost’ says he wants to challenge people’s mindset
M Y LAPTOP is on, my browser is open, and I’m looking at Facebook.
At the bottom of my screen, three little dots are bubbling around, telling me the person on the other side is furiously typing away.
Well, typing at least. The furiously bit is just an image I conjure up in my mind whenever I see those little dots.
I’m patiently waiting for my first reply from the person I’m interviewing.
But there’s a bit of a difference with this interview.
First, I’m not even sure who it is I’m speaking (well, typing) to. And second, this chat is being held on Facebook messenger – a little different to my usual over-the-phone or face-to-face interviews.
The reason it’s being held through a private message on social media is mainly because of the first point I made – I don’t actually know who this person is.
On Facebook he’s called John Frost. Although I’m fairly confident that I’m not talking to the mayor of Newport from the late 1830s – the man behind the Newport Rising and the Chartist riot in the city in 1839.
No, the person I’m digitally conversing with is the artist behind the anonymous brand RISE Propaganda.
One of the first things I ask the artist is if they can at least give me a personal pronoun to use for this story – calling the artist “the artist” all the time will quickly become tiresome.
They tell me “no”. I can call them John if I like.
“John” has been behind a number of artistic campaigns in Newport, and the RISE Propaganda brand has been popping up all over the place over the past year or so.
Almost everyone in Newport would have seen the Spread Love, Break Hate and Marmite/Newport images by now.
But it’s more than just a few paintings and stickers on some Newport walls.
John said: “We’re a movement that acts beyond rebellion.
“It’s about breaking the rules and benefiting the community at the same time.”
When pressed about the “breaking the rules” part of the movement’s mantra (the bubbling dots appeared and disappeared a few times while I waited for my response), John simply replies with “not just about challenging authority but challenging people’s mindset”.
The person I’m speaking to explains that they’re “more of a facilitator [rather than a leader], our community wants to do positive things, it’s just about bringing them together in one place.”
And there have been some posi- tive things to come from the RISE movement.
There was the “NirPort” Kurt Cobain event, celebrating the rocker’s visit to the infamous TJ’s, where people were encouraged to put padlocks on a Newport bridge with romantic messages. Free limitededition Kurt Cobain and Newportthemed artwork was left on the streets for people to pick up.
Artwork could also be bought from selected shops, such as the Secret Garden Café on Charles Street, with money from the sales then being given to local charities.
“We donate 5% of the value of all our profits to charity, but have actually donated more than that – currently around £800 to various causes,” John said.
They add that RISE has also promoted local businesses, empowered people through making and spreading art, created art that Newport can take pride in and, more recently, dabbled in wedding planning.
With all the good the movement is spreading, why stay anonymous? Why stay hidden behind a chartist’s name?
“RISE Propaganda is and always will be, more than about one person. It is both a community of people and a feeling.
“In this ego-driven age of social media, celebrity and reality TV, it’s also a nice a reminder that you can do something good for you and your community without feeling the need to take a selfie of it.” John sends a winking-face emoji. John explains that there’s a meaning behind using the John Frost image, too.
“The Chartists started something that empowered the people, and one of their key acts was the rebellion in Newport,” they said.
Adding: “I can relate to that spirit, so it seemed natural to channel that feeling and keep it alive in RISE Propaganda. Hence John Frost – although he is a much sharper dresser than I am.”
John also thinks there’s more to come from the city. And the mystery street artist is happy to bring people together under one banner.
“Newport is on the up. We’ve got an amazing community of people, really talented creatives, the best beer in the world [RISE and Tiny Rebel teamed up during Newport Food Festival, so John’s a bit of a fan] and a shop whose existence is dedicated solely to the grilling of cheese. What’s not to like? To be honest, it would be rude not to live here.”
So what’s next for RISE Propaganda? Well there are no uprisings on the horizon, but they are making a record.
But that’s as much as I’m allowed to know, along with a sneak preview by way of an “exclusive image” featuring the Newport cherub.
Keep an eye on the Facebook page to stay up to date.