The team at StopPress are sad to receive the news that Jim Wilson, founder of Phantom Billstickers, has died peacefully in his sleep from natural causes.
A billsticker, music promoter, the original champion of culture and the glue-and-paper rebellion, Wilson built the outdoor advertising company from the streets up.
He turned posters into poetry, and his belief in the cultural voice of Aotearoa lives on in every frame, every site and every story we share, says the team at Phantom Billstickers.
Wilson said: “I began reading Janet Frame again, and then poetry. Then I thought I should take something meaningful into the streets. Poetry was it.”
Before Phantom, Wilson was a music promoter, and champion of sounds in Christchurch. He gave the Dance Exponents their first real run, plastered Split Enz across walls before they were household names, booked The Clean, The Verlaines, The Androids, and made sure the underdogs got stage time.
He believed in noise. In poetry. In the power of art in the streets to change your day, or your life, writes the Phantom Billstickers team.
Honouring Wilson’s life
It was that thought that shaped what Phantom Billstickers have become in modern-day street poster advertising.
“We’ll ensure that our main aim is to continue to give a voice to the voiceless, empowering culture, connection and creativity in New Zealand and beyond,” the team adds.
Phantom Billstickers will be honouring Wilson’s life over the coming days and invite those who knew him, or simply felt his presence in the cities he helped shape, to join them in reflection.
Jim is survived by his loving wife Kelly, his step-children Tessa and Andrew, and his grandchildren, Isaiah and Jaya.
The Phantom Billstickers team have created a space where Wilson’s writing and legacy can live on. You can find it here.
If you knew him and have a story or photos to share, the team would love to see them. You can email them at hello@phantombillstickers.com.
The post In memory of original Phantom Billsticker Jim Wilson appeared first on stoppress.co.nz.
More Stories
Over $100k initiative powers up Auckland’s indie stages
Acing Brand Experience With Mammut CMO Nic Brandenberger
Outward Bound leans into uncertainty with fearless new platform