Have you ever wanted to see the graffiti on your favourite streets in London? Or have you spotted a street art piece in your own city and want to know more about it? If so, you’re not alone as many people from across the world are now realising the importance of street arts in keeping the city spic and span.
Over the past few years, street arts have become increasingly popular as galleries and museums display more original work from up and coming British street artists. The explosion in social awareness and interest in British street art has also played a major part in its growth. Now people of all ages are able to take part in this vibrant street art scene.
To get an insight into some of the most popular British street artists, perhaps you should pay a visit to Brick Lane. Known for their cheeky and witty graffiti art, this quiet and trendy area of east London is becoming one of the leading places to showcase British street art. Located off Harley Street, near Oxford Street, Brick Lane is the favourite hangout of many tourists, who want to take in a glimpse of this highly distinctive scene. Brick Lane is also home to many well known British graffiti artists such as Heatwave, Wintour, Coker, Stormer and Banksy. What these artists have in common is the enthusiasm, creativity and energy that their work brings to their surroundings, as well as an ever evolving and restless spirit which comes from putting on a great show for everyone to watch.
Another area of London where you can witness the power of graffiti art is New York City. Famous for its street graffiti art, the Big Apple is also home to many famous British street artists, including the well-regarded British graffiti artist Banksy and Byrne. This bustling area of the big apple has also seen an increase in the gallery space as well as a number of contemporary and traditional museums dedicated to the ephemeral nature of the urban landscape. One thing that New York is not short of, however, is food. A trip to Manhattan will allow you to sample a wide variety of culinary delights from around the world, including everything from Chinese to Indian to Jewish to Italian to Japanese. And while some of these foods may be a bit challenging to find in your local high-end restaurant, what you won’t miss is the city’s cuisine in its most natural and unrefined form.
But perhaps the best place to get your hands on an amazing street art is in London’s East End. There are a number of studios and galleries which have become renowned for the unique style and originality of their street art. Artists such as Banksy, reversible, Coker and Byrne have produced some of the most striking pieces in recent years, whilst newer names in the graffiti scene include Love London, Spotless, Kulture oroka, and mcwall. Whilst there are a number of factors that determine the success of a Banksy piece, one of the main factors is the proximity of the Banksy piece to its context. If an exhibition or a gallery features Banksy art then it is almost certainly well worth a visit. For those who are unable to make it to London, there are many Banksy pieces online which could be right for you.
Another way of getting into the street art scene is to become involved with a street artist organisation. These organisations often provide resources, advice and opportunities which can help you start your own practice, get involved in local events and meet other like-minded artists. As well as being able to lend support and help, these organisations can also offer exposure and opportunities to display your work in an exhibition or in a gallery setting. They may even give you a chance to display or sell your work in their space. In conclusion, if you love graffiti art or you just like to take part in the street artist scene, why not try to become involved?
