As we start a new decade a review of a tiny amount of the amazing street art witnessed in the past decade seemed appropriate.
A Bun In Their Hair, ALO, Shoreditch 2014
Here is a slide show of a number of the images that made the final review of the “wild Wonderous and Inventive” art, which is a rather vague way of saying “stuff that wasn’t mentioned in our mural, sculptural or political street art reviews.
The only way to bring to a close this dredging up of our favourite specimens of wild outdoor art is to look back at what Banksy has been up to. Although Banksy produced far less street art in the past decade than in the noughties, on almost all respects other than quantity he continues to be the most important, brilliant and relevant artist in whatever field he chooses.
Banksy Dismaland, 2015
Banksy’s Better In Than Out in New York saw a month long treasure hunt – “hide and seek” combo which cast Banksy as Bonnie And Clyde against the NY mayor, police and press and the world watched with glee but we already knew Banksy would never be caught.
Better Out Than IN, Banksy, New York, photo LunaPark
He also had a major art triumph staging a group shop with a conscience at Dismaland though we already knew Banksy did extraordinary exhibition/experience fusion.
Dismaland, Banksy, Weston Super Mare, 2015
He created a huge mural in Dover in 2017 but we already knew Brexit was a stupid idea.
Banksy, Dover 2017
My favourite Banksy of the decade however was his Les Miserables in Knightsbridge, London’s embassy land.
Tear gassed Cosette, Banksy, Knightsbridge London, 2016
It has the Banksy signature elements, it had the cleverness in repurposing the iconic image of Cosette, it had the impact in terms of global exposure, right opposite the French embassy it combined perfect placement with the “wow, how did he get away with that.” factor.
We did not however know about the French police tear gassing migrant families in the camps in Calais and this was Banksy’s crowning achievement, bringing that shameful episode to wider international attention.
Cosette v French embassy, Banksy, Knightsbridge London, 2016
This selection of photos a part of the selection reviewed and discussed on the Graffoto blog post 2010 – 2019 Wild Wonderous Inventive Street Art
All photos Dave Stuart except LunaPark where noted
It has been a huge pleasure to write 5 reviews of the street art of the past decade which we personally enjoyed. The Links to those reviews are at the bottom of the Graffoto review. A specific review of the street art of 2019 might appear shortly.
