Britain’s Oldest Example of Christian Graffiti Found Near Hadrian’s Wall

By Alex Fox
SMITHSONIANMAG.COM
SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 11:45AM

Some 1,400 years ago, individuals living near Vindolanda, a Roman fort in northern England, inscribed a lead chalice with images of crosses, angels and other Christian symbols. Now, reports Dalya Alberge for the Guardian, archaeologists say that this vessel—unearthed during excavation of a ruined sixth-century church—represents the oldest known example of Christian graffiti ever found in Britain.

Recovered in 14 fragments, the chalice was once the size of a cereal bowl. Inscriptions adorn every inch of its surface, covering both its interior and exterior. Per a statement, symbols seen on the cup include a chi-rho (or monogram said to represent Jesus Christ), a happy bishop, ships, a congregation, a fish and a whale. Latin, Greek and potentially Ogam letters appear alongside the drawings.

Thanks to: Chris C., Josiah, XSacto, r/stencils, r/streetart, and @only_stencil_archive
Music: XTC, Pink Floyd, Bowie, Ozric Tentacles
Photo: @1goodhombre for the win!

>NEW< F CK (IT)

Two from protests in Portland, OR

One from Slovenia

JPS (UK)

In Media, Pete B.

A few in the Mission District

One on Valencia

One near the Bottom of the Hill

One on Market St.

fnnch goes surfin’

Thanks to: Josiah, @only_stencil_archive
Music: Dian, Phish, Euforquestra, Bombino
Photo: Steve McQueen mural on Fillmore St., SF by Luinova

>NEW< Roadsworth (Montreal)

>NEW< fiddlethief (SF)

In the Upper Haight, SF

On Fillmore St., SF

Just one on Valencia St., SF

Black Lives Matter on Mission St., SF

Thanks to: Aiden, Quinn, Arno and son, Brooklyn Street Art, and u/badwolf_tco
Music: Dinner and a Movie 17 (wined and dined in Hampton)
Photo: John Fekner cut outs from his "A Change" show (photos: Icy and Sot for Brooklyn Street Art)

Icy and Sot visit John Fekner’s “A Change” show in NYC, share with Brooklyn Street Art

Just one from Petaluma, CA

Just one in Lower Haight, SF

Just one in Western Addition, SF

Just one in Glen Park, SF

Just one from Almost Over Keep Smiling (NYC)

Just one in NYC

1970 Grateful Dead stencil in Wisconsin

Dark humor in Estonia

Just one from Portugal

Thanks to: r/stencils, r/streetart, @only_stencil_archive
Photo: Found after a nature bath at Bodega Bay

>NEW< Puerto Rico

>NEW< Sr.X (UK)

One from Ecto in Wash. state

Upper Haight, SF

One in the Financial District, SF

One from fnnch

More from X-Sacto

One in Northern California

Black Lives Matter in Oakland

One in Pittsburgh

The URBAN NATION MUSEUM FOR URBAN CONTEMPORARY ART
presents a six-decade retrospective of Martha Cooper's photographs.

MARTHA COOPER: TAKING PICTURES (LINK)

October 2nd 2020 – August 1st 2021
Curated by Steven P. Harrington and Jaime Rojo

Combining photographs and personal artifacts, MARTHA COOPER: TAKING PICTURES traces her life from her first camera in nursery school in 1946 to her reputation today as a world-renowned photographer.

This retrospective is the first documentary exhibition to be presented at the URBAN NATION Museum and it ushers in a new era for the museum under its new director Mr. Jan Sauerwald.

MARTHA COOPER: TAKING PICTURES presents the photographer's versatile vision of the world, with creativity found on every corner. The exhibition opens with the images from Subway Art, her landmark 1984 book with Henry Chalfant, now credited with jump-starting the worldwide urban art movement. Martha's photographs documented the secret subculture of writers and the coded artworks they created illegally on thousands of New York City trains.

Martha's photographs are distinguished by their frank human vitality, with an eye to preserving details and traditions of cultural significance. Many of her photographs have become iconic representations of a time, place or culture. The exhibition will offer a rare insight into Martha’s archives through previously unpublished photographs, drawings, journals, articles, letters, and artifacts. As a lifelong and avid collector, her private trove of black books, stickers, Kodak film wallets and child-made toys will also be on display. Emphasis is placed on Martha’s extensive travels and the artistic friendships that she has fostered internationally.