475. Kentish Town Road (1), Camden

I really did enjoy my recent tour of Camden Town, and one of the first pieces I saw was this lovely Dan Kitchener work in a tiny car park area off the Kentish Town Road. The three walls were festooned with street art, but this piece had pride of place along the entire length of one wall.

Dan Kitchener, Kentish Town Road, Camden, September 2016
Dan Kitchener, Kentish Town Road, Camden, September 2016
Whenever I see Dan Kitchener’s works I am reminded of the book by Judith Kerr, the tiger who came to tea. I can’t really explain why, but there is a street picture in the book which I think of every time I see Dan’s work.

Dan Kitchener, Kentish Town Road, Camden, September 2016
Dan Kitchener, Kentish Town Road, Camden, September 2016
I can’t really get enough of his extraordinary murals, which is a good thing really, because they are everywhere…more to come soon. 

474. Ashley Road (9)

Aspire sprayed this a little while ago, and within a very short space of time, a rather ‘jobsworth’ enforcement notice went up over the top of it. Some people are really stupid, or don’t really care, but when you look at the whole scene I know which bit I consider ugly and which out of place.

Aspire, Ashley Road, Bristol, September 2016
Aspire, Ashley Road, Bristol, September 2016
Aspire continues on his run of fantastic bird art for the citizens of Bristol. We are lucky to say the least.

Aspire, Ashley Road, Bristol, September 2016
Aspire, Ashley Road, Bristol, September 2016

473. Hawley Street (1), Camden

Continuing for a little while with my Camden adventure, just around the corner, from the Fanakapan flies was this amazing rhinoceros by Osch. Both Osch and Fanakapan are unbelievably prolific. Hardly a week goes by without one or both of them creating something new.

Osch, Hawley Street, Camden, September 2016
Osch, Hawley Street, Camden, September 2016

In this piece, Osch uses his unfurling ribbon style to create the illusion of a solid creature, which is clever as painting itself could be considered to be an illusion. Layers. The rhino is superb, and reminds us (it’s function) about the plight of these creatures in the wild.

Osch, Hawley Street, Camden, September 2016
Osch, Hawley Street, Camden, September 2016

Rounding off the picture, and something that is a part of photographing street art, is the context of the piece, and in this particular piece there are some discarded flower pots that somehow add to the whole scene. A street art photographer’s dilemma is always to balance the perfect clean image, with the actual image in its context. I, like others, try to get both…but parked cars are a real menace!

472. Hawley Mews (1), Camden

  1. These pictures were taken when I had a couple of hours to kill in London after work recently, and I am really pleased with the ground I managed to cover in Camden. Although my sister went to school nearby, and I often drove through the area in my younger days, I haven’t been back for years.
Fanakapan, Hawley Mews, Camden, September 2016
Fanakapan, Hawley Mews, Camden, September 2016

I knew that the area is a favourite for street artists and graffiti artists, but I had no idea about the layout of the streets or what could be found where, so I just started to wander – my favourite thing.

Fanakapan, Hawley Mews, Camden, September 2016
Fanakapan, Hawley Mews, Camden, September 2016

I eventually happened upon this incredible mews, running parallel with one of the busier streets, but hidden away (note – always seek out alley ways and back streets). The reward for my explorations was this magnificent Fanakapan mural of flies (of course the helium balloon type).

Fanakapan, Hawley Mews, Camden, September 2016
Fanakapan, Hawley Mews, Camden, September 2016

This work is exceptional, not only the flies, but the perspective on the walls and shadows cast. A masterpiece and a privilege to find it and photograph it. There were loads of other pieces in this mews and I will in time post about them too.

Fanakapan, Hawley Mews, Camden, September 2016
Fanakapan, Hawley Mews, Camden, September 2016

471. Dean Lane skate park (25)

I haven’t seen any work by this artist before or since I took this photograph. His name is Rusk (or Rusk 1 or One_rusk on Instagram), and this piece is really rather Summery, even though it was sprayed in September this year. We did actually have a nice September.

Rusk, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2016
Rusk, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2016

The piece didn’t last long, as nothing does at Dean Lane, but it will remain in my memory, because of its unique subject matter, and also the fact that I don’t know the artist at all. Maybe I will start spotting more of his work as I look around, I hope so.