Tag Archives: artists

Shoreditch – More Than Street Art Apparently

Shoreditch is our stomping ground and street art is our passion but it is good to be reminded that when you have finished your street art tour there are so many other things to see and do in Shoreditch.  Our recent guest Lizzie has written a wonderful blog post “So You Think You Know London? – Brick Lane” which reveals Shoreditch in its broader context for visitors.

Photo by Lizzie on the Shoreditch Street Art Tour

Have a read of Lizzie’s words for some great suggestions for post tour possibilities.

I know the feature photo at the top of the page looks like a photo of a car but it is actually a snap I snatched during the actual tour Lizzie was on last weekend.

 


WRDSMTH Comforts Girl With 2 Roses On Her Arse

 

“Liam cheered up Cheryl” according to the headline in a free newspaper in London this morning and it wasn’t how you think!     Popular Holywood street artist Wrdsmth’s large paste up declaration of brimming love suppressed was how singer Liam Payne visiting Las Vegas chose to express to Cheryl how he was missing her back in London.

London, Shoreditch, Street art, artists, guided tour, walk, One Direction, Cheryl, Liam, arse, tattoo, paste up, Las Vegas

The Metro, 26 Oct 16

 

If you are from the wrong generation or country you may not be aware that Liam is Liam Payne from pop band One Direction and therefore pretty important in this country.  Cheryl is sooo mega important that she doesn’t even need a surname though the paper does see fit to keep us abreast of her derriere, which apparently sports a couple of tattoos (photo awaited).

WRDSMTH’s uplifting and oft romantic bon mots have been a pleasure to discover many times in London, as we mentioned just a few months ago.

London, Shoreditch, Street art, artists, guided tour, walk, One Direction, Cheryl, Liam, arse, tattoo, paste up, Las Vegas, Wrdsmth

WRDSMTH, London Phone box, Summer 2015

Liam needn’t have gone to Las Vegas to find WRDSMTH ’s articulation of Liam’s tongue-tied romantic word bloc, for WRDSMTH has already put the same message up in London.

London, Shoreditch, Street art, artists, guided tour, walk, One Direction, Cheryl, Liam, arse, tattoo, paste up, Las Vegas

Photo: WRDSMTH

Photo credit: WRDSMTH

Here is another one that Liam could have used to woo singer, tv personality and serial wedding bride Cheryl if only he had taken the Shoreditch Street Art Tour:

London, Shoreditch, Street art, artists, guided tour, walk, Wrdsmth, paste up,

WRDSMTH, 2015

Thanks to our wonderful guide Esther for letting me know as I returned to the UK this morning that despite refugee camps and airport expansions, British newspapers were still giving the real news the exposure it merits.

Photos: Dave Stuart except WRDSMTH and courtesy The Metro where noted


Night Street Art Photography is Back

The nights are drawing in so our unique Night Street Art Photography Tours being again. The first one was last night and what fun we had.

London, Shoreditch, Brick Lane, Night photography, street art, artists, graffiti

Of course there was a lot of new art created since last Winter to photograph.

London, Shoreditch, Brick Lane, Night photography, street art, artists, graffiti

London, Shoreditch, Brick Lane, Night photography, street art, artists, graffiti

Airborne Mark

And we photographed some old favourites which I haven’t photographed at night before, it certainly brings out a different aspect of the street art.

London, Shoreditch, Brick Lane, Night photography, street art, artists, graffiti

Jonesy – looking more sinister and ferocious than ever

London, Shoreditch, Brick Lane, Night photography, street art, artists, graffiti

Conor Harrington

The Night Street Art Photo Tours are organised as and when we can pull together a small group. You can of course arrange a private Night Street Art Photography Tour just for yourself.  More details HERE (link opens in another window)

London, Shoreditch, Brick Lane, Night photography, street art, artists, graffiti

Neoh, Lily Mixe and others

London, Shoreditch, Brick Lane, Night photography, street art, artists, graffiti

Best in brick Lane!

 


How Do Street Artists Vote?

Tomorrow the United Kingdom goes to the polls, except for those poor fools who thought that a dissenting childish megalomaniac comedian was the god-font of political wisdom and declined to register. Street artists have been sharing their thoughts on the prospects and that is a good thing as 5 years ago there wasn’t enough political agitation emanating from the walls.

K-Guy is a London based street artist who has often mocked politicians and pricked the bubble of right wing sentiment on issues such as the economy and immigration. On this occasion he doesn’t have a specific agenda other than seeming to hanker after any other choice apart from the ones we actually have, he regards our current system as moribund, pointless and redundant as nothing changes for the better. One after Russell Brand’s own heart.

London, Shoreditch, Street art, artists, politics, election 2015, UK, K-Guy, Vote Dodo,

K-Guy “Vote Dodo”

What is particularly impressive is K-Guy’s technique, that piece is an illegal stencil. Earlier this week I came across a soggy pile of paper on the floor, intrigued by what this pile of paper might yield I did something I have never done before, a 50 piece street art paste up jigsaw!

London, Shoreditch, Street art, artists, politics, election 2015, UK,

k-Guy Vote Dodo Paste Up

Damn that paper was sticky and horrible.

Street artist T.Wat loves a bit of political humour and evidently hates watered down nationalistic facism. There is more than a hint of something disturbing in the fetishistic sado-masochistic paraphernalia that UKIP leader Nigel Farage rocks on the walls of Shoreditch. Of course, it is not clear if that dress sense is a good thing or a bad thing, each to their own and who are we to criticise – look at the French and Italian politicians Perhaps Farage has more in common with European politicians than appears at first glance though I suspect that wasn’t T.Wat’s point, the swastika kind of suggests not.

London, Shoreditch, Street art, artists, politics, election 2015, UK, Nigel Farage, UKIP

T.Wat – Potty Mouth!

T.Wat has puts up the “making of” video and like K-Guy he scores bonus points for putting up a complex multi-layered stencil composition without permission.

Unify placed this paste up a couple of weeks ago with the see no evil/hear no evil/talk no evil monkeys wearing the rosettes of the three main political parties, in some repscts I feel the idea is similar to K-Guys sentiments, identikit politicians basically aren’t going to effect any kind of change, they are too absorbed in their own self interest and self preservation.

London, Shoreditch, Street art, artists, politics, election 2015, UK, Unify, Paste up

Unify: “see no evil”

Another couple who I regard as talented but infrequent street artists are Expanded Eye, their artwork is generally one off well thought through and often quite sculptural in appearance. On this occasion they have produced a body politic headed by a collage combining facial features from the main political leaders but they are willing to produce a manifesto for your convenience so long as you cross their palms. Fine if you can afford to finance the manifesto you require, so we know that means..fine for the rich. Nice work by Expanded Eye.

London, Shoreditch, Street art, artists, politics, election 2015, UK,

Expanded Eye

Sarcasm is a fine weapon in any political street artist’s arsenal and this “Feed The Rich” is probably the most targeted negative political piece of art seen so far, the tag appears to be C. B. R[ant].

London, Shoreditch, Street art, artists, politics, election 2015, UK, "Feed The Rich"

C. B. R[ant]

Not many street artists dive into specific policy issues, though one artist is using walls to highlight concerns about the Badger cull with the witty slogan “If badgers could cull 70% of politicians it may reduce ridiculous countryside policies”. A second piece of street art suggests that if badgers were bears there would be a massive lobby for their protection. Possibly not the kind of issue weighing heavily on the mind of voters in Tower Hamlets, Islington and Hackney

London, Shoreditch, Street art, artists, politics, election 2015, UK,

Cull politicians not badgers. Artist unconfirmed.

London, Shoreditch, Street art, artists, politics, election 2015, UK,

Wanted – indigenous bear. artist unconfirmed.

On the subject of “special interests”, British Election night always has its comedy moments, often provided by the sight of the nutter candidates who lose their deposits (an entry fee designed to filter out crank candidates from the British Political process but the worst cranks generally have large scale party funding) but who harass and barrack the main candidates to our general delight and entertainment. The campaign for sexual liberty is progressing down a secluded path of 50 shades of something more interesting to do that vote with their campaign posters. Stylistically there is some similarity to the work of Shepard Fairey though it is unlikely he has been tied up in this project.

London, Shoreditch, Street art, artists, politics, election 2015, UK,

Sexual Liberty

So, all in all, British Street artists have been slightly more active than in the recent elections using street walls to bypass censorship and the costs associated with major political campaigns which is the point of uncurated access to an audience!  The sentiment is partly anarchy and partly disenchantment with the current system and parties with a healthy opposition to fascism and self serving capitalism.  Go and vote.


London, Los Angeles, San Juan, Berlin, Street Art, artists, graffiti, illustration, skate, punk, fashion, tour, tours, Shoreditch, Valentines Day

VERY NEARLY ALMOST (VNA) Issue 29 – Launches in LA!!!

Coming soon, something that should interest anyone from LA who has been on the Shoreditch Street Art Tour (and indeed anyone interested in culture who ought to come on the SSAT) – the latest issue of Very Nearly Almost magazine. More of the same street arty and graff stuff but this time a little bit different too.    Now taking on the world, oh yeah!  Issue 29 launches in Los Angeles this Saturday (Valentines Day, 14 Feb).

 

Cover artist is Cleon Peterson, painter of black and white man beasts pillaging, fucking and slaughtering their way across the pages and onto a special limited edition (150) silk screen printed box-set featuring a custom screen-printed box, die-cut sticker set, postcards and hand screen-printed copy of VNA 29.  Compare the silk screen printed cover in the box set contents pic below with the scan of the regular cover further down

London, Los Angeles, San Juan, Berlin, Street Art, artists, graffiti, illustration, skate, punk, fashion, tour, tours, Shoreditch, Valentines Day

Box set contents

There are elements of the traditional photos of street art, photo specials on the murals of Las Vegas and San Juan (and of course London), a great interview with Blek Le Rat (France) and the wonderful “Diggin In The Crates” series continues with corporate iconoclast Ron English dissecting and reminiscing about the conception and execution of a whole bunch of his propaganda subversions.

London, Los Angeles, San Juan, Berlin, Street Art, artists, graffiti, illustration, skate, punk, fashion, tour, tours, Shoreditch, Valentines Day

VNA Blek Le Rat interview. Original photos – Blek, Sybille Prou

Then, as the zine editorial points out, they explore “..the broader culture that surrounds street art and graffiti”. This means profiles of a gif designer (Mattis Dovier), a clothing brand founder (Tony Arcabascio, ALife) and confessions of a New York street photographer and paparazzi (Ricky Powell).

London, Los Angeles, San Juan, Berlin, Street Art, artists, graffiti, illustration, skate, punk, fashion, tour, tours, Shoreditch, Valentines Day

original photo: James Bulloch

An interview with Pursue, a brand director and mural painter, take VNA right over onto classic Juxtapoz turf while closer to home Jessica Albarn, sibling to Damon and Nelly Duff artist discusses her illustrations. There’s plenty more besides and as always (cough, blush) some great photography.

London, Los Angeles, San Juan, Berlin, Street Art, artists, graffiti, illustration, skate, punk, fashion, tour, tours, Shoreditch, Valentines Day

Regular cover

The LA launch is being hosted by Subliminal Projects, 1331 W. Sunset Blvd, LA, CA 90026. 6pm – 9pm. Free alcohol plus a free copy of the mag to the first 100 through the door on the night. Drink sensibly (first two beers only). To be sure to get your free copy, RSVP to rsvp@verynearlyalmost.com and arrive early on the night!

Don’t worry London fans, there is something special promised for a London launch, we believe the 26 of Feb may be a good date to keep the social congestion clear. No news on where but…well, Cleon is a Laz artist ..and VNA has had some very successful launches there in the past…and they have a relatively new space people might like to see….this is most likely not what will happen as it is pure speculation on my part. For the real deal as it gets announced, follow @vnamagazine on the usual anti social media channels


JeSuisCharlie

Shocked by the tragic events in Paris this week, street artists have been quick to respond.

In France: Jef Aerosol

London, Shoreditch,Street art,graffiti,walk,tour,walks, tours,jesuischarlie,artists, Jef Aerosol

photo: Jef Aerosol

London, Shoreditch,Street art,graffiti,walk,tour,walks, tours,jesuischarlie,artists, Jef Aerosol

photo: Jef Aerosol

In London:

London, Shoreditch,Street art,graffiti,walk,tour,walks, tours,jesuischarlie,artists, Cept

je suis charlie

London, Shoreditch,Street art,graffiti,walk,tour,walks, tours,jesuischarlie,artists, Cept

je suis charlie

London, Shoreditch,Street art,graffiti,walk,tour,walks, tours,jesuischarlie,artists, Pure Evil

Pure Evil je suis charlie

London, Shoreditch,Street art,graffiti,walk,tour,walks, tours,jesuischarlie,artists,Graffiti Life

je suis charlie Graffiti Life

More details on Graffoto blog


Street Artists From Jordan and Bahrain Visit Shoreditch

A few weeks ago Shoreditch Street Art Tours received one of its more unusual assignments when our friend Cedar Lewisohn asked us to guide four street graffiti writers/street artists from Jordan and Bahrain around Shoreditch’s street art.   Wesam Shadid and Mohammed Al Abbar from Jordan and Mahmoud Al Shargawie and Mike Derderian from Bahrain were visiting the UK on a street art study tour funded by the British Council.

Their action packed week took them around London and Bristol and saw them painting in the legendary Leake Street Hall of fame, check out their experience on this short film produced by the British Council.

Chatting with these characters was certainly eye opening, the conditions they paint under in their home countries and the expense of getting paint supplies mean creating art on the walls of their homeland requires heightened passion and self sacrifice, not to mention expense.

London,Shoreditch,walking,tour,tours,Street art,artists,Cedar Lewisohn, Wesam Shadid,Mohammed Al Abbar, Mahmoud Al Shargawie,Mike Derderian,British Council

Cargo’s security not what it used to be, feat Wesam Shadid

Cycling home the next day via Leake Street tunnel I came across the guys again and Wesam did me the honour of putting up my name in Arabic on the legendary Leake Street walls. Thanks Wesam, for me this was a real honour and a privilege.

London,Shoreditch,walking,tour,tours,Street art,artists,Cedar Lewisohn, Wesam Shadid,Mohammed Al Abbar, Mahmoud Al Shargawie,Mike Derderian,British Council,West One

“Dave” by Wesam “West One” Shadid

 


ACE Start to 2014? Exciting Street Art Competition

Take a tour with Shoreditch Street Art Tours anytime from 1 Dec 2013 to 5 Jan 2014 and be in with a chance to win A.CE artwork!

Shoreditch,London,,Street,art,street art,graffiti,artists,,guided,tour,tours,walk,walks,ACE,paste ups

A.CE is one of London’s finest street artists.  He has been active on the streets of London for over 10 years and was first pick when our principal guide Dave NoLionsInEngland was asked to put together an article on Shoreditch’s top street artists.  A.CE’s colourful collaged paste ups have always featured prominently on Shoreditch Street Art Tours and if you want to get an idea of the excitement that lies behind the clandestine dark art of illegal pasting, you could not do better than watch the short film on his website of A.CE in action in London.

We are excited to announce that A.CE has generously given us a street quality original artwork for Shoreditch Street Art Tours to offer as a prize to its wonderful guests.  All tour guests who take a tour in the month of December (and that tiny bit of January which is basically still holiday) will be entered automatically into a prize draw to be made on Monday 6th of January 2014.  That’s one entry per person not per booking!.  This wonderful prize will be mailed in a nice tube to the winner.

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An A.CE a way to start 2014!

 


What Are We Going To Do Now? Street Art Private Views Thursday 31 Oct

Only a couple of shows in the Shoreditch Street Art Tour diary this Thursday, which it being Halloween could be due to most artists being out trick-or-treating.  Several of Shoreditch Street Art Tour’s friends are in these shows, which is a tragedy as other engagements are likely to keep us out of the art galleries.  Nevermind, the big highlight is actually on Friday – Stanley Donwood, again!

Hush – Fatales

Buxom babes, bombs, geishas, abstract tag backgrounds..just guessing.

 Street art,London,Lazarides,hush,cept,pure evil,artists,gallery,openings

Hush – Fatales

The Outsiders London (Lazarides)

8 Greek St

Soho, London, W1D 4Dg

 

Group Show – Go Hard Or Go Home

Most of the publicity appears to inform us that this show is curated by Jon Patrick Boyle aka Motorboy.  This could explain the detectable Bristol slant to a cracking line up which includes our favourites  Cept, ACE, Sweet Toof, Pure Evil, Sickboy and Beejoir among others.

 Street art,London,Lazarides,hush,cept,pure evil,artists,gallery,openings

CEPT

The Rag Factory
16-18 Heneage Street (off Brick Lane),London, E1 5LJ

 

FRIDAY 1 NOV: Stanley Donwood – Apocalypse Boutique

Friends who have been to Shoreditch Street Art Tour’s hideaway know what huge fans we are of Mr Donwood so it is a real treat to have a second Donwood show in a month (the Lazarides Rathbone Place show was extended by 1 week and finishes this weekend).  In his words “THis is a strange kind of sample of what I’ve been doing for the past eight or nine years…Some of the work is painted, some printed, and some a combination of the two. Although there are other printing techniques employed here, a lot of the work was screen-printed at the Slowly Downward Manufactory”.

Special maps are available on the internet to show where Stoke Newington is.

Street art,London,Lazarides,Stanley donwood,artists,gallery,openings

Stanley Donwood – Apocalypse Boutique

Hang Up Gallery, 56 Stoke Newington High St,
London N16 7PB

images – all stolen from gallery PR puffery.