Photo Album: Post-Sandy MERCY Graffiti in Coney Island

February 16, 2013 by Tricia

MERCY. February 9, 2012, Photo © Bruce Handy via Coney Island Photo Diary

After Sandy, we began noticing the word “MERCY” stenciled on lamp posts and empty signboards in Coney Island. It felt like a call for compassion from a neighborhood devastated by the storm. During last week’s snowstorm, Coney Island photographer Bruce Handy came across three of these graffiti messages. The one above was on a white wall at Paul’s Daughter on the Boardwalk.

POƧT –ИO–MERCY February 7, 2012, Photo © Bruce Handy via Coney Island Photo Diary

On Stillwell Avenue, the “Post No Bills” message on the plywood covering Thor Equities vacant new building was replaced by graffiti saying “POƧT — ИO — MERCY.” Person(s) unknown also pasted MERCY bumper stickers on poles in the amusement area. Have you seen any others? Scroll down for readers’ comments and theories about the graffiti and additional photos. Bruce Handy’s flickr set can be viewed here.

MERCY. February 10, 2012, Photo © Bruce Handy via Coney Island Photo Diary

Related posts on ATZ…

February 5, 2012: Botched Job: Coney Island Art Exiled by Thor Equities

June 1, 2011: Photo Album: Street Art Down by the Coney Island Bowery

May 3, 2011: Photo of the Day: Street Art by RAE in Coney Island

April 15, 2011: Photo Album: Whimsical Murals Blossom in Coney Island

Posted in Photo Album, Photography | Tagged Bruce Handy, Coney Island, graffiiti, Hurricane Sandy, MERCY, street art, Superstorm Sandy | 16 Comments

16 Responses

on February 16, 2013 at 8:03 pm | Reply Capt_Nemo

Wasn’t Mercy the female lead in the movie, The Warriors? Pretty sure I saw the name plasted around Coney pre Sandy
on February 16, 2013 at 8:31 pm | Reply Tricia

yes, there was a character named Mercy in the Warriors. That could be the reference. I posted the photos hoping for responses to clear up the mystery.
on February 16, 2013 at 10:57 pm | Reply Bruce Handy

Three more sightings, one stencil on a boardwalk lamp post, another of Deno’s boardwalk map and a third sticker on Paul’s Daughter.
on February 16, 2013 at 11:04 pm | Reply Tricia

Thanks, Bruce. I remember seeing one on a lamp post before. He or she is very busy!
- on March 30, 2015 at 7:35 pm | Reply a friend
  
  he was a man on a mission….. R.I.P. may they last a lifetime and remind those who knew you forever
  MERCY 1SI5 BK
  - on March 31, 2015 at 9:41 pm Tricia
    
    What happened to the artist? I would be interested to know more about him and write a follow-up. You may email me at hello[AT]triciavita.com
  - on June 9, 2015 at 9:10 pm pl
    
    …loved him beyond.
- on April 20, 2015 at 11:53 am | Reply a friend
  
  i sent you an email
on February 17, 2013 at 8:21 am | Reply jack m beebe

The sticker says
” Mercy
stands alone”
not just the word mercy

jack
- on February 17, 2013 at 8:48 am | Reply Tricia
  
  Thanks for spotting that, Jack. Another clue!
on February 17, 2013 at 6:27 pm | Reply Tricia

I came across another one today on Stillwell Ave. on a piece of metal siding outside the terminal. The tag is same as the one on Thor’s building: ISI5BK
on February 24, 2013 at 5:42 pm | Reply Bruce Handy

4 more sightings, 2 on the Shore Theater, 1 on the other side of the metal shown above and 1 on the parking meter on Stillwell Ave. Added to the slideshow:
- on February 25, 2013 at 11:30 am | Reply Tricia
  
  Thanks, Bruce. It’s interesting how unobtrusive the tags are, unless you’re looking for them!
  - on March 29, 2015 at 7:47 pm Chris Steady
    
    These are my buddies tags.
    He was a great guy.
    R.I.P “what monsta”
on March 27, 2015 at 12:12 pm | Reply Arthur Krapf

R.I.P….
on March 31, 2015 at 9:39 pm | Reply Tricia

why is this post suddenly getting views and comments two years later. Who was the artist and what happened to him? You may email me at hello[at]triciavita.com