Street Art isn’t the first thing one associates with London, but it has one of the biggest (and best) collections of ‘uncommissioned’ street art in the world. It’s like an open air art gallery for the people.
The artwork is really diverse and you can find it all over the city. It was one of the highlights of our stay in London.
I was blown away by the scale of some of the work, we just don’t see really large murals in Melbourne. If you are keen to see lots and lots of street art visit East London and specifically the areas of Hoxton, Shoreditch, Hackney, Bethnal Green and Brick Lane. But there is artwork everywhere in the most unexpected of places, just keep your eyes open and you will find some little surprises.
We didn’t see a Bansky (or maybe we did, who knows?). Here is a collection of pieces that caught my eye, I’ve included locations where I remember them. I’ve also done a little research and included a link to the artist where I could find it.
Mural along Regents Canal between Thornhill Bridge and Kings Cross
Eye Balls vs Cassette tape, Hoxton
This clown was a bit creepy but so amazing, Hoxton
Clown by Sweet Toof, Hoxton
Southbank London, near skate park
US street artist Pyramid Oracle, Off Hackney rd Near Columbia rd
Boxer Dog wearing headphones, Off Caledonian rd Barnsbury by artist Louis Masai Michel
Parrots, Off Caledonian rd Barnsbury (opposite dog) by artist Louis Masai Michel
Skulls by @fanakapan, Brick Lane area
Bird Paste Up, Brick Lane area
Tribal woman holding cat, Redchurch Street, Shoreditch
Cheshire Cat by Malarky on Cheshire Street
Wolf sticker, Brick Lane area
GROOVE graffiti
Hedgehog by Famous Belgian muralist Roa on Chance Street in Shoreditch
Crane by Roa, Brick Lane
Queen stencil by Endless in Soho
Adorable masking tape face on metal vent
Twins of Brick Lane by French artist Zabou. Brick Lane, Shoreditch
Inequity Street on Ada st around Broadway Market Haggerston. Piece on left by ZabouPiece on right by Kef
Of course all street art is transient, tomorrow there could be a new piece of art in it’s place, or nothing at all.
There is a street art walking tours led by local street artists if you are interested in learning more about East London’s vibrant street art scene, or just do what we did and wander around the city.
