Warning: This post contains graphic imagery and descriptions
An anti-police message appeared below the controversial Potts Point graffiti believed to depict the murders of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies by a serving police officer before it was later covered up, GSN can reveal.
While it remains unclear whether separate people contributed to the graffiti and the anti-police phrase, the revelation of the message appearing below the graffiti has led some queer community members to question whether it was designed more to be anti-law enforcement rather than what some had initially believed was potentially homophobic artwork.
The letters “FTP” appeared below the graffiti in pink – a different colour than any of the other colours used in the artwork itself. A police source said it was widely understood that FTP stood for “f–k the police”. Beau Lamarre-Condon, a serving NSW Police officer, was charged with the murder of Baird and Davies and has since been suspended without pay.
Photos seen by GSN show that the graffiti – which police labelled “offensive” – appeared as early as Monday afternoon this week. The letters “FTP” later appeared on the graffiti in a photo taken at 12.53pm on Tuesday – before it was later coloured in with the rainbow colours of the LGBT+ flag.
By Wednesday morning, the end product depicted a person shooting a gun at two other people with rainbow-coloured flames near their heads and crossed-out eyes. A City of Sydney spokesperson told GSN it removed graffiti from a property in Potts Point following a report from NSW Police.
“The work depicted a violent act,” the spokesperson said. “We remove such graffiti or posters as soon as possible.”
NSW Police confirmed it attended Earl Place in Potts Point, where the graffiti was displayed on the building, about 7.50am on Wednesday “following reports by a member of the public regarding offensive graffiti that had been painted on a wall”.
“The graffiti has since been painted over by the City of Sydney Council,” NSW Police said.
“Officers attached to Kings Cross Police Area Command are investigating the incident.
“Anyone with information into the incident is urged to call Kings Cross police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
Before the “FTP” message was revealed, there were mixed opinions about the graffiti in the GSN comment section.
Some called it “abhorrent”, “disturbing”, “shocking” and “horrid”.
But another said: “Seems like pretty powerful art and commentary to me…”
Another wrote to GSN saying: “At first, my initial response is: what the f–k, maybe it’s too soon [after] the event.
“But it’s also art, which is meant to challenge its audience to think.
“I don’t want to make comparisons, but in a way, it is similar to all the artwork that black artists did around Black Lives Matter, specifically with George Floyd and ‘I can’t breathe’…
“I’m not sure of the nature of this artwork. But then I don’t necessarily think it’s grotesque. Obviously, yes, it’s sensitive and no one asked for it, but then again subjectively it’s art.”
Ben Grubb is the founder and editor of Gay Sydney News, an independent publication covering LGBTQIA+ news. A journalist with more than 15 years' experience, he has reported and edited for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WAToday, Brisbane Times, The Australian Financial Review, News.com.au, ZDNet, TelecomTimes and iTnews, primarily on the topic of technology. He previously hosted The Informer, a queer current affairs program on Melbourne’s JOY 94.9 radio station, and contributes to LGBTQIA+ media including Stun Magazine. Ben has also appeared as a technology commentator on Channel Ten's The Project, ABC RN’s Download This Show and commercial radio stations 2UE, 2GB and 6PR. Contact Ben: ben.grubb@gaysydneynews.com.au
Eliot Hastie is a senior news producer at Channel Ten, reporting on a range of general stories, specialising in foreign affairs and LGBTQ+ stories. He’s also a reporter for Gay Sydney News, where he covers LGBTQIA+ culture, politics and nightlife. He previously helped to build and launch ausbiz, Australia's only live streaming finance news channel, where he was also an executive producer and host. He has previously worked as a finance and business journalist for publications including Fintech Business, Real Estate Business and other Momentum Media titles. Eliot holds a journalism degree from the University of Westminster and brings experience in both broadcast and digital reporting. Contact Eliot: eliot.hastie@gaysydneynews.com.au
