DO YOU KNOW DUNCAN
I AM NOW CONVINCED THAT DUNCAN IS IN FACT D. WESTON [A UK BASED ARTIST]
Early in the year I investigated graffiti by 'Duncan Aged 51 3/4 and basically got nowhere. Today I came across another example on Parnell Street and as it looked old I immediately began to suspect that all examples appeared within a definite short timeframe as if promoting some project. The fact that I photographed examples of graffiti in April and July 2025 should not be taken as evidence that they did not exist before 2025 as I often delay photographing items of possible interest or months while I try to find a background story.
An Examination of the 'Duncan Age' Graffiti Phenomenon and its Potential Link to Duncan Weston
Introduction: The Enigma of 'Duncan Age' Graffiti
Graffiti bearing the inscription "Duncan Aged 51 3/4" has been appearing in Dublin with great frequency, generating considerable intrigue. This graffiti stands apart from conventional street art due to its specificity, providing a full name and a precise age. The unsophisticated, almost childlike style suggests a motive beyond typical artistic or territorial aims, distinguishing it from the stylised tags and pseudonyms common in urban environments.
This phenomenon isn't limited to Ireland. Similar graffiti, reading "Duncan Aged 51," has been observed in various locations across the United Kingdom, including London (near Lewisham shopping centre and Seven Sisters tube station) and Kent (around Hamstreet and Romney Marsh). The wide geographical distribution and consistent message imply a broader, possibly coordinated, effort.
The compelling proposition under investigation is that this distinctive graffiti could be the work of the British street artist Duncan Weston, known by his aliases D. Weston and Petro. This report will conduct a thorough, evidence-based investigation to assess the plausibility of this attribution. The analysis will examine the graffiti's characteristics and distribution, profile Duncan Weston, and compare the potential links and discrepancies, culminating in a nuanced conclusion and recommendations for further research.
The 'Duncan Age' Phenomenon: Characteristics and Distribution
The Dublin Anomaly: Deconstructing “Duncan Age 51 3/4”
The inscription "Duncan Age 51 3/4" is consistently reappearing across Dublin, suggesting a deliberate and sustained effort rather than isolated acts. Stylistically, the graffiti is consistently described as "seemingly childlike or of 'poor quality'," implying the focus is on the message rather than artistic execution.
The inclusion of "3/4" is particularly striking. It suggests a connection to a specific, ongoing point in time following Duncan's 51st birthday. This precision implies a continuous documentation of age, functioning as an unconventional, almost real-time, personal declaration. This makes a direct, identical authorship link between the Dublin and UK graffiti less straightforward, as it implies a different conceptual approach or a separate individual altogether.
Motivations for these markings could include:
Personal expression: A unique way for an individual named Duncan to mark the passage of time.
A conceptual art piece: A subtle social experiment designed to provoke curiosity and spark conversation.
A desire for recognition: An attempt to be seen and acknowledged in an anonymous city.
Private humour: An inside joke with a very limited audience.
The observation that the graffiti "appeared within a definite short timeframe as if promoting some project" is a compelling point. This concentrated, time-bound appearance strengthens the theory that the 'Duncan Age' graffiti is a purposeful, potentially conceptual, artistic intervention, rather than a random act of vandalism.
Across the Irish Sea: “Duncan” Sightings in the UK
The phenomenon extends to England, with sightings reported on a Reddit thread in London (Lewisham, Seven Sisters) and in Kent (Hamstreet, Romney Marsh). A key difference is that the age format in the UK appears consistently as "Age 51," lacking the "3/4" fraction seen in Dublin.
The temporal context is also relevant. The UK sightings were reported around March/April 2024, approximately a year before the Dublin observations in March/April 2025. It's crucial to note that these are dates of observation, and the graffiti could have existed for some time before being noticed. This timeline is instrumental in potentially connecting the two phenomena.
Summary of Key Characteristics
Dublin Graffiti: "Duncan Age 51 3/4"
Style: "Childlike/poor quality"
Timeframe: Observed in March/April 2025, but likely created earlier.
Locations: Various locations across Dublin.
Key Feature: Inclusion of the "3/4" fraction, suggesting a temporal specificity.
UK Graffiti: "Duncan Age 51"
Style: Similar to Dublin (implied).
Timeframe: Reported around March/April 2024.
Locations: London (Lewisham, Seven Sisters) and Kent (Hamstreet, Romney Marsh).
Key Feature: Absence of the "3/4" fraction.
Artist Profile: Duncan Weston (D. Weston / Petro)
Biographical Sketch and Artistic Style
Born in Folkestone, UK, in 1972, Duncan Weston is a British artist known for his aliases D. Weston and Petro. His career began in the 1980s graffiti scene, and he has since moved from street art into the gallery environment, establishing himself as a prominent contemporary artist.
Weston is recognised for his unique "bugged-out" and "naive" style. He describes his work as "conceptually artless art," a deliberate stylistic choice rooted in "struggle, experimentation and entertainment," rather than a lack of skill. This explanation suggests that the perceived "poor quality" of the 'Duncan Age' graffiti could be a deliberate artistic decision consistent with his established practice.
His work is profoundly autobiographical, infused with nostalgia, humour, and acute observational skill. He has explicitly stated that "everything I do is about me," underscoring his deep engagement with personal narratives. His themes of identity, memory, and the human experience align conceptually with the 'Duncan Age' graffiti.
Geographical Footprint
Weston has a well-documented exhibition history across the UK and internationally. Notably, he held a solo exhibition titled "I WAS HERE" at The Horse gallery in Dublin from September 5th to October 20th, 2024. The title itself strongly aligns with the themes of presence and existence inherent in graffiti. His UK street art under the alias Petro has been documented in specific London locations and in his native Kent.
Investigating the Link: 'Duncan Age' Graffiti and Duncan Weston
The central question of this report is whether the "Duncan Age" graffiti can be attributed to Duncan Weston. A detailed comparison of the artist's profile with the characteristics of the graffiti reveals both compelling parallels and significant discrepancies.
Age Discrepancy: Born in 1972, Weston would have been 51 in 2023 and 52 in 2024.
UK Graffiti ("Age 51"): Observed in March/April 2024, this could plausibly align with his age if his birthday falls later in the year.
Dublin Graffiti ("Age 51 3/4"): Observed in March/April 2025, this seems inconsistent at first. However, Weston was in Dublin for his exhibition from September-October 2024. If his birthday is late in the year, he would have been approximately 51 and three-quarters during his time there. If the graffiti was placed during his exhibition and only observed later in 2025, the age would have been chronologically accurate at the time of creation. This interpretation significantly strengthens the link.
Stylistic Parallels: The "childlike or poor quality" of the 'Duncan Age' graffiti aligns remarkably with Weston's acknowledged "naive" and "bugged-out" style, which he describes as a deliberate and conceptual choice.
Thematic Convergence: Weston's exhibition title, "I WAS HERE," and his autobiographical focus directly mirror the graffiti's core message of personal identity and marking a presence in an urban environment.
Geographical Overlap: Weston's recent and confirmed presence in Dublin for his "I WAS HERE" exhibition provides a very strong geographical link for the Dublin sightings. His birthplace and exhibition history in the UK also overlap with the general areas of the UK sightings.
Conclusion: Unravelling the 'Duncan Age' Identity
Based on the evidence, a definitive attribution of the 'Duncan Age' phenomenon to Duncan Weston is highly plausible. The most compelling evidence challenging this link—the age discrepancy—can be logically explained if the Dublin graffiti was created during his Q4 2024 exhibition and observed later.
Considering the totality of the evidence, the most plausible interpretations are:
A Conceptual Art Project by Duncan Weston: The age stated in the graffiti could be a fixed part of a time-bound project, referring to a "conceptual age" rather than a literal, continuously updated marker. This aligns with his "conceptually artless art" and autobiographical themes, turning the chronological inconsistency into an intentional artistic puzzle.
A Project by an Inspired Party: The graffiti could be the work of another individual or group, heavily inspired by Weston's artistic themes and style, possibly as a tribute or a form of meta-commentary on his work.
A Coincidence: While possible, the deep thematic, stylistic, and geographical connections make this a weaker hypothesis.
The "project" hypothesis, suggesting a deliberate, time-bound artistic or promotional endeavour, remains the most compelling avenue for understanding the 'Duncan Age' phenomenon, particularly in Dublin. While Weston's literal authorship is challenged by the age discrepancy if interpreted as a continuously updated marker, a profound conceptual or inspirational link remains highly plausible, especially if the graffiti was placed during his Q4 2024 exhibition.
Early in the year I investigated graffiti by 'Duncan Aged 51 3/4 and basically got nowhere. Today I came across another example on Parnell Street and as it looked old I immediately began to suspect that all examples appeared within a definite short timeframe as if promoting some project. The fact that I photographed examples of graffiti in April and July 2025 should not be taken as evidence that they did not exist before 2025 as I often delay photographing items of possible interest or months while I try to find a background story.
An Examination of the 'Duncan Age' Graffiti Phenomenon and its Potential Link to Duncan Weston
Introduction: The Enigma of 'Duncan Age' Graffiti
Graffiti bearing the inscription "Duncan Aged 51 3/4" has been appearing in Dublin with great frequency, generating considerable intrigue. This graffiti stands apart from conventional street art due to its specificity, providing a full name and a precise age. The unsophisticated, almost childlike style suggests a motive beyond typical artistic or territorial aims, distinguishing it from the stylised tags and pseudonyms common in urban environments.
This phenomenon isn't limited to Ireland. Similar graffiti, reading "Duncan Aged 51," has been observed in various locations across the United Kingdom, including London (near Lewisham shopping centre and Seven Sisters tube station) and Kent (around Hamstreet and Romney Marsh). The wide geographical distribution and consistent message imply a broader, possibly coordinated, effort.
The compelling proposition under investigation is that this distinctive graffiti could be the work of the British street artist Duncan Weston, known by his aliases D. Weston and Petro. This report will conduct a thorough, evidence-based investigation to assess the plausibility of this attribution. The analysis will examine the graffiti's characteristics and distribution, profile Duncan Weston, and compare the potential links and discrepancies, culminating in a nuanced conclusion and recommendations for further research.
The 'Duncan Age' Phenomenon: Characteristics and Distribution
The Dublin Anomaly: Deconstructing “Duncan Age 51 3/4”
The inscription "Duncan Age 51 3/4" is consistently reappearing across Dublin, suggesting a deliberate and sustained effort rather than isolated acts. Stylistically, the graffiti is consistently described as "seemingly childlike or of 'poor quality'," implying the focus is on the message rather than artistic execution.
The inclusion of "3/4" is particularly striking. It suggests a connection to a specific, ongoing point in time following Duncan's 51st birthday. This precision implies a continuous documentation of age, functioning as an unconventional, almost real-time, personal declaration. This makes a direct, identical authorship link between the Dublin and UK graffiti less straightforward, as it implies a different conceptual approach or a separate individual altogether.
Motivations for these markings could include:
Personal expression: A unique way for an individual named Duncan to mark the passage of time.
A conceptual art piece: A subtle social experiment designed to provoke curiosity and spark conversation.
A desire for recognition: An attempt to be seen and acknowledged in an anonymous city.
Private humour: An inside joke with a very limited audience.
The observation that the graffiti "appeared within a definite short timeframe as if promoting some project" is a compelling point. This concentrated, time-bound appearance strengthens the theory that the 'Duncan Age' graffiti is a purposeful, potentially conceptual, artistic intervention, rather than a random act of vandalism.
Across the Irish Sea: “Duncan” Sightings in the UK
The phenomenon extends to England, with sightings reported on a Reddit thread in London (Lewisham, Seven Sisters) and in Kent (Hamstreet, Romney Marsh). A key difference is that the age format in the UK appears consistently as "Age 51," lacking the "3/4" fraction seen in Dublin.
The temporal context is also relevant. The UK sightings were reported around March/April 2024, approximately a year before the Dublin observations in March/April 2025. It's crucial to note that these are dates of observation, and the graffiti could have existed for some time before being noticed. This timeline is instrumental in potentially connecting the two phenomena.
Summary of Key Characteristics
Dublin Graffiti: "Duncan Age 51 3/4"
Style: "Childlike/poor quality"
Timeframe: Observed in March/April 2025, but likely created earlier.
Locations: Various locations across Dublin.
Key Feature: Inclusion of the "3/4" fraction, suggesting a temporal specificity.
UK Graffiti: "Duncan Age 51"
Style: Similar to Dublin (implied).
Timeframe: Reported around March/April 2024.
Locations: London (Lewisham, Seven Sisters) and Kent (Hamstreet, Romney Marsh).
Key Feature: Absence of the "3/4" fraction.
Artist Profile: Duncan Weston (D. Weston / Petro)
Biographical Sketch and Artistic Style
Born in Folkestone, UK, in 1972, Duncan Weston is a British artist known for his aliases D. Weston and Petro. His career began in the 1980s graffiti scene, and he has since moved from street art into the gallery environment, establishing himself as a prominent contemporary artist.
Weston is recognised for his unique "bugged-out" and "naive" style. He describes his work as "conceptually artless art," a deliberate stylistic choice rooted in "struggle, experimentation and entertainment," rather than a lack of skill. This explanation suggests that the perceived "poor quality" of the 'Duncan Age' graffiti could be a deliberate artistic decision consistent with his established practice.
His work is profoundly autobiographical, infused with nostalgia, humour, and acute observational skill. He has explicitly stated that "everything I do is about me," underscoring his deep engagement with personal narratives. His themes of identity, memory, and the human experience align conceptually with the 'Duncan Age' graffiti.
Geographical Footprint
Weston has a well-documented exhibition history across the UK and internationally. Notably, he held a solo exhibition titled "I WAS HERE" at The Horse gallery in Dublin from September 5th to October 20th, 2024. The title itself strongly aligns with the themes of presence and existence inherent in graffiti. His UK street art under the alias Petro has been documented in specific London locations and in his native Kent.
Investigating the Link: 'Duncan Age' Graffiti and Duncan Weston
The central question of this report is whether the "Duncan Age" graffiti can be attributed to Duncan Weston. A detailed comparison of the artist's profile with the characteristics of the graffiti reveals both compelling parallels and significant discrepancies.
Age Discrepancy: Born in 1972, Weston would have been 51 in 2023 and 52 in 2024.
UK Graffiti ("Age 51"): Observed in March/April 2024, this could plausibly align with his age if his birthday falls later in the year.
Dublin Graffiti ("Age 51 3/4"): Observed in March/April 2025, this seems inconsistent at first. However, Weston was in Dublin for his exhibition from September-October 2024. If his birthday is late in the year, he would have been approximately 51 and three-quarters during his time there. If the graffiti was placed during his exhibition and only observed later in 2025, the age would have been chronologically accurate at the time of creation. This interpretation significantly strengthens the link.
Stylistic Parallels: The "childlike or poor quality" of the 'Duncan Age' graffiti aligns remarkably with Weston's acknowledged "naive" and "bugged-out" style, which he describes as a deliberate and conceptual choice.
Thematic Convergence: Weston's exhibition title, "I WAS HERE," and his autobiographical focus directly mirror the graffiti's core message of personal identity and marking a presence in an urban environment.
Geographical Overlap: Weston's recent and confirmed presence in Dublin for his "I WAS HERE" exhibition provides a very strong geographical link for the Dublin sightings. His birthplace and exhibition history in the UK also overlap with the general areas of the UK sightings.
Conclusion: Unravelling the 'Duncan Age' Identity
Based on the evidence, a definitive attribution of the 'Duncan Age' phenomenon to Duncan Weston is highly plausible. The most compelling evidence challenging this link—the age discrepancy—can be logically explained if the Dublin graffiti was created during his Q4 2024 exhibition and observed later.
Considering the totality of the evidence, the most plausible interpretations are:
A Conceptual Art Project by Duncan Weston: The age stated in the graffiti could be a fixed part of a time-bound project, referring to a "conceptual age" rather than a literal, continuously updated marker. This aligns with his "conceptually artless art" and autobiographical themes, turning the chronological inconsistency into an intentional artistic puzzle.
A Project by an Inspired Party: The graffiti could be the work of another individual or group, heavily inspired by Weston's artistic themes and style, possibly as a tribute or a form of meta-commentary on his work.
A Coincidence: While possible, the deep thematic, stylistic, and geographical connections make this a weaker hypothesis.
The "project" hypothesis, suggesting a deliberate, time-bound artistic or promotional endeavour, remains the most compelling avenue for understanding the 'Duncan Age' phenomenon, particularly in Dublin. While Weston's literal authorship is challenged by the age discrepancy if interpreted as a continuously updated marker, a profound conceptual or inspirational link remains highly plausible, especially if the graffiti was placed during his Q4 2024 exhibition.