Tag: Brick Lane

2184. Brick Lane (4)

Sometimes you need to be eagle-eyed. Many of you will be familiar with the work of French artist C215 (Christian Guemy) and will have seen pieces by him in Paris or London, or indeed all over Europe. It is his cats in particular that he is really well known for and here is a rather old looking and very small C215 cat in Brick Lane.

C215, Brick Lane, London, April 2019
C215, Brick Lane, London, April 2019

This one was so very well ‘camouflaged’ by all the other busy scrawls on the door that if I had blinked I would have missed it. His work has such a deft touch that brings his pieces to life. I am amazed that in such a small two-tone piece, the character of the cat comes shining through. A brilliantly talented artist.

 

 

2183. Allen Gardens, London (2)

It was great to be able to show my sister this wall back in April, because pretty much the entire length of it was  being actively sprayed. It is not often that you happen to be in the right place at the right time to witness a paint jam in progress, especially when Tizer is involved.

Bapsta and Tizer, Allen Gardens, London, April 2019
Bapsta and Tizer, Allen Gardens, London, April 2019

I believe the artist in the picture is Bapsta and that Tizer was probably wandering around, because even though the artists were doing their finishing touches, I don’t think they had started to disperse. If I had been here alone I expect I would have spoken to a few of them because I really don’t know much about the London scene.

It was a privilege and a bit of luck to see these guys in action.

2182. Allen Gardens, London (1)

One of the refreshing things about visiting Shoreditch or Camden Town is that every piece I see is a new discovery. What I mean by that is I don’t really follow London street art on social media, so when I see a piece ‘in the flesh’ it is usually the first time I have seen it or even know of it. In Bristol, I will have seen the majority of street/graffiti art works on Instagram before I ‘find’ them and photograph them. What this also means is that I know relatively little about the London artists, and for my own sanity probably need to keep it that way.

Cokyone, Allen Gardens, London, April 2019
Cokyone, Allen Gardens, London, April 2019

When I visited Allen Gardens in April I think that this piece by Cockyone was relatively new, it certainly looked incredibly fresh. When it comes to birds I think that kingfishers are a real crowd-pleaser, because of their beauty and character, and they frequently feature in street art. I think this is a wonderful piece, skilfully blending abstract grayscale patterns with the vibrant colours of the bird and the crown tops the whole thing off nicely.

2181. Nomadic Community Garden, London (2)

This is a wild, weird and wonderfully executed piece at the entrance of the Nomadic Community Garden just off Brick Lane by the London-based artist Woskerski. I know that skulls are not everyone’s cup of tea, but they play a hugely important part in the street art scene… don’t ask me why, they just do.

Woskerski, Nomadic Community Garden, London, April 2019
Woskerski, Nomadic Community Garden, London, April 2019

Now any skull has a rather dark look about it, but this one is both dark and slightly crazy. There is something disconcerting about that eye floating in its socket and the X in the other socket. What I love about the piece though is the textures and lines and shading that give the piece definition and depth. A masterful work.

2149. Brick Lane (3)

I knew about this beautiful Dan Kitchener piece, because I’d seen it a couple of times on Instagram, so it was ‘front of mind’ when I eventually made it to Brick Lane. The piece, on a perfect wall was towards the southern end of Brick Lane, and although it has been there since mid-March was in remarkably good nick.

Dan Kitchener, Brick Lane, London, April 2019
Dan Kitchener, Brick Lane, London, April 2019

It is impossible not to admire Dan Kitchener’s work and his geisha pictures really are sublime. The piece is awash with colour and the hair decorations are so beautifully crafted, the street lights behind creating movement. Probably a ‘quick one’ from Dan Kitchener, but a real gem nonetheless.

2147. Nomadic community garden, London (1)

This is a really unusual piece by Aspire in a rather unusual setting. The nomadic community garden just off Brick Lane is an example of extreme Bohemian living. A collection of allotment huts, some of which are mini cafes, and a few small plots surrounded by graffiti and street art. It is a completely bonkers public space that has to be seen to be understood.

Aspire, Nomadic Community Garden, Brick Lane, London, April 2019
Aspire, Nomadic Community Garden, Brick Lane, London, April 2019

I would normally associate birds and other wildlife with Aspire, so this rather ghoulish portrayal of Mother Teresa came as a bit of a surprise package. It is definitely by Aspire as it is signed with his characteristic signature in the colours used for the piece. My sister didn’t like this, and I tried to explain to her that it was not typical of his work. Personally I like to see artists switch it up from time to time. A fine piece.

1892. Shoreditch, London (10)

In a little side street/yard off Brick Lane there is a derelict area which is a bit of a street art oasis. On the passageway into the area is this magnificent piece by Envol, which is quite different from anything else there.

Envol, Shoreditch, London, November 2018
Envol, Shoreditch, London, November 2018

I have come across Envol a couple of times at Upfest in Bristol, so it was great to see something by him outside of the festival context. His highly designed ‘classical’ pieces are simply presented but nicely framed with strong shapes and colours.

Envol, Shoreditch, London, November 2018
Envol, Shoreditch, London, November 2018

When I first saw this piece I thought it had been dogged at the base of the skull, but on closer inspection and a quick squint at the Artist’s Instagram it seems that this is a deliberate technique that he adopts from time to time. It is a good feeling once again to stumble upon art in unfamiliar surroundings that I am familiar with.

448. Brick Lane (2)

In a small side street off Brick lane, there is a fairly squalid car park…the perfect site for some great street art and graffiti art. At this site there were some wonderful pieces which I will get round to posting some time. My eye was caught, however, just as I was leaving the side street by this fabulous D7606 pasteup.

D7606, Brick Lane, London, August 2016
D7606, Brick Lane, London, August 2016

I like the bright colours he uses, the icons he adopts (in this case the telephone itself and David Bowie) and his recognisable style. Although a small piece, this is really fun art.

447. Brick Lane (1)

It is not so long ago that I hadn’t come across Osch. Now it seems he is popping up in my blog rather regularly. This is another in his series of orange/yellow circles with a scene going on inside. This particular piece incorporates another of his trademark styles, which is to have an unfurling ribbon effect.

Osch, Brick Lane, London, August 2016
Osch, Brick Lane, London, August 2016

I like this piece for several reasons, but particularly for its location and subject that reflect the adjacent tourist shop.

Osch, Brick Lane, London, August 2016
Osch, Brick Lane, London, August 2016