There is little one
can say or do, nothing seems
to make it better.
by Scooj
There is little one
can say or do, nothing seems
to make it better.
by Scooj
The light was fading fast by the time I got to this wall. Had I known of its existence I would probably have tried to get to it earlier and benefit from better light. One of the pitfalls of wandering around aimlessly I suppose. All the pictures have been adjusted to make them less gloomy, but they really don’t convey the magnificence of this collaboration.

Louis Masai and Fanakapan, two of the best street artists in the UK right now, collaborated to paint this wall as part of the Meeting of Styles, London event in May 2016.

The patchwork style of Louis Masai and the helium balloon chrome style of Fanakapan work surprisingly well together and when the subject matter is wildlife conservation, what it there not to like about this piece?

There is a very good piece by London Calling which shows the collaboration at work, in rather sunnier conditions than when I went to visit, which is well worth a gander.

The theme for the event was ‘absolute freedom’ and this piece is entitled ‘Freedom?’. This was a pure joy for me at the end of a very long walk in Shoreditch…the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.


In my wanderings through the streets and alleyways of Shoreditch it was comforting to come across a familiar sight. So much of the artwork was unknown to me and then this…a piece by Bristol graffiti artist Voyder. All of a sudden I felt quite at home and rather pleased with myself that I could identify an artist in the heart of London’s graffitiland.

I have to say though that I don’t think it is his best work, and not a patch on the stuff he has bee producing in the last few months (in my view). This wall was produced for the Meeting of Styles festival June, 2016. The photographs are a bit dodgy because the daylight was fading, and my crappy little camera was fussing about the light levels. I think I just about got away with it.

Street artists are like busses…nothing for ages and then two come along together. This is a small piece by Fin DAC tucked away in Shoreditch and when I took the photograph I didn’t know who it was by. Then, recently I posted a piece by him from Bristol’s Upfest and I recalled this picture and can post it now.

The two pieces are very different, and the Shoreditch one is more typical of the Geisha that one normally associates with the artist. In both instances though it is the painted eye mask that gives away the artist’s identity – his signature if you like. At the time I took this I thought it was worth a snap. It was a good decision.
I am enjoying my journey into the world of street/graffiti art and learning about the talented artists who brighten up our urban environments. Not so long ago, I didn’t know about Himbad and images of his work just sat in my archive waiting for a positive ID. Now I know who he is and can recognise his work – that is a good thing.

This piece is rather large and very impressive when looking down the street at it. If you are wondering how it was painted, there is a great explanation on the London Calling blog which has images of the artist in progress. All done with rollers and a very long pole! This is a wonderful piece, full of character.
Just to mix things up a bit, I am going to write a few posts about some street art I photographed last Summer/Autumn when I was working two days a week in London. I thought I’d start with this rather eye-catching piece from Thierry Noir at the East end of Rivington Street in the archway by Cargo.

Thierry Noir’s pieces are simple and colourful, almost falling into the category of ‘well I could probably do that’ art. Well I probably couldn’t and the idea and style are his and he executes them brilliantly. The more of his work that I see, the more I like it.
.
Last train journey home
the London experience
has come to an end.
.
by Scooj
On completing a six month assignment working two days a week in London. Ahhh, Bristol 24/7.
Another wonderful piece from the summer when I took a trip to Camden Town. This work by Dan Kitchener ticks all the boxes as far as I am concerned. A colourful wet street scene with cars and umbrellas demonstrating the amazing talent of this street artist.

As discussed previously when posting about Dan Kitchener pieces, it is all in the detail. From a distance the piece looks a bit busy and confused. But take a closer look, and the picture takes over.

Crowds of pedestrians going about their business lit by the bright neon signs and street lighting, and the cars on the right hand side of the mural, blurred as they speed along. The perfect street mural so atmospheric.

Another great artist to claim a wall in Rivington Street is My Dogs Sighs, and his piece is alongside other greats such as Fanakapan, Stinkfish and Thierry Noir. This is a piece typical of My Dog Sighs, composed of a pair of eyes, and on closer inspection a scene going on in the reflection of the eye itself.

This is a clever technique used by My Dog Sighs, and it is in the detail of the eye that the story lies. Difficult to make out, but the artist knows. It is always nice to stumble upon anything by My Dog Sighs.
A rather lovely simple piece on the front of Franco’s Takeaway on Rivington Street by the magnificent French street artist Thierry Noir. In this work, there are several of Thierry’s figures in bright colours looking as though they are in a queue for the takeaway shop. Intentional I’m sure.
