6866. Camden High Street, London

Urban Solid, Camden High Street, London, April 2025
Urban Solid, Camden High Street, London, April 2025

I always like to see a bit of installation art, but it is always a bit of a rarity, especially in the UK. It seems to be far more popular in other countries. I remember seeing a lot in Barcelona, for example.

Urban Solid, Camden High Street, London, April 2025
Urban Solid, Camden High Street, London, April 2025

This is a fine ear piece (no pun intended) by Urban Solid, stuck high up on a wall with no danger of it being removed or vandalised. The ear, which looks like it has been there for some time, is accompanied by the words ‘audio surveillance zone’, which is all rather clever and imaginative really. I’d love to see more of this kind of art in Bristol, although we do still have a couple of Gregos masks that remain just about intact.

6865. Chalk Farm Road, Camden Town, London

Apparan, Chalk Farm Road, Camden Town, London, April 2025
Apparan, Chalk Farm Road, Camden Town, London, April 2025

One of the most noticeable things about photographing street art in London is that there seem to be a great deal more paste ups and wheatpaste artists than in Bristol. Perhaps this is a function of a huge amount more wall space to choose from, as well as a cultural thing.

Apparan, Chalk Farm Road, Camden Town, London, April 2025
Apparan, Chalk Farm Road, Camden Town, London, April 2025

This wonderful wheatpaste piece, by Apparan (no stranger to Natural Adventures), features a beautiful portrait of a woman and a snail. The piece is called ‘way home’ and was pasted up in December 2023 during a bit of a wheatpaste jam as far as I can make out. It has worn very well indeed.

6864. Harmood Street, Camden Town, London

Irony, Harmood Street, Camden Town, London, April 2025
Irony, Harmood Street, Camden Town, London, April 2025

On 8 April this year, I took a trip to London to watch the mighty Arsenal swat away Real Madrid in what was without doubt the best football match I have ever been to – and I have been to a fair few. The kick-off was a late one, so rather than catch a very late train home to Bristol I decided to stay over in London with my sister, and then visit my uncle and aunt the next morning. After my visit, I had a few hours to kill and decided to walk to Camden Town and snap up a few doors and some street art. This outstanding portrait piece from Irony was one of the first I saw on my ten-mile walk.

Irony, Harmood Street, Camden Town, London, April 2025
Irony, Harmood Street, Camden Town, London, April 2025

Irony, who is one of the most talented street artists ever in my view, is known for his portraits of young women, and this one has been plastered all over social media recently, so it was a genuine surprise and pleasure to come across it.

Irony, Harmood Street, Camden Town, London, April 2025
Irony, Harmood Street, Camden Town, London, April 2025

The artist has captured a mood so perfectly in this piece and the slight downward tilt of the subject’s head conveys some kind of body language that the viewer can pick up on. Obviously, the most striking part of the piece is the stunning blue hair, perfectly presented. This is a great piece from a great artist.

Arsenal 3 – 0 Real Madrid

Arsenal v Real Madrid, Emirates Stadium, 8 April 2025
Arsenal v Real Madrid, Emirates Stadium, 8 April 2025

.

Such euphoria

sixty thousand hoarse voices

unbelievable

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by Gunner Scooj

6665. Hornsey Road, North London

Northbanksy, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024
Northbanksy, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024

More from our friend Northbanksy in the railway tunnel adjacent to the Emirates Stadium, home of the mighty Arsenal football club. The tunnel has become a hall of fame for Arsenal players, and a but of a gallery for the artist, with phenomenal footfall on match days. The first piece if of Kai Havertz (not a great likeness), a player who didn’t do too well at Chelsea, but has improved greatly since joining Arsenal. The words ‘waka waka, eh eh’ are a reference to ‘his’ song which reverberates around the stadium when he scores or performs well, as follows:

Tsamina, eh, eh, Waka waka, eh, eh, £60 million down the drain, Kai Havertz scores again

The lyrics are a corruption of Shakira’s hit record ‘Waka waka’.

Northbanksy, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024
Northbanksy, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024

The second player featured in Northbanksy’s faux stencil style, is Leandro Trossard, who is a bit of a super-sub, and scores a lot of goals considering the amount of game time he gets. This picture captures Trossard’s binocular goal celebration. The picture is accompanied by a typical football fan pre-match. More to come from Northbanksy.

6652. Hornsey Road, North London

Perspicere, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024
Perspicere, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024

This piece by Perspicere is opposite the Banksy tree on Hornsey Road, London, and was photographed while walking to a Football match with my son a couple of weeks back. Not only was I not expecting the Banksy piece, but this thread installation by Perspicere was a superb bonus.

Perspicere, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024
Perspicere, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024

It was a dark and foggy evening when we were passing by, and I dare say that this piece is probably best viewed in daylight. The threads, suspended from the edges of the board, combine to make out  a mature oak tree in a field, casting a long shadow. It is a wonderful composition and another beauty from the artist who uses this specialist technique. Another unexpected joy.

6648. Hornsey Road, North London

Banksy, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024
Banksy, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024

It feels odd posting this Banksy piece from the comfort of a Marrakesh hotel room only a couple of weeks after photographing it. I took the pictures in the dark on a cold night walking to a football match with my son after seven hours of driving. It was my son who spotted the famous piece painted last year, and in the spirit of taking pictures, no matter what the conditions, I managed to get these unusual snaps.

Banksy, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024
Banksy, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024

I had wondered where this piece was, but love the fact that we accidentally walked past it rather than sought it out. The misty night scene adds a different perspective on the piece, which was a clever work by Banksy, who replaced the foliage of a tree on the wall behind it, after it had been heavily cut back.

Banksy, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024
Banksy, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024

In the bottom left of the piece is a stencil figure with a spray gun in his hands who presumably had been spraying the foliage on the walls. The figure is now behind Perspex. Last year was a good year for the Bristol born artist, and maybe on future trips to the old smoke I’ll find some of his animals from 2024. Arsenal won a tricky match against Ipswich 1-0, so overall a good day out.

6641. Hornsey Road, North London

Northbanksy, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024
Northbanksy, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024

Good morning folks, a really quick couple of posts today, there is lots of sightseeing to be done. Two more Arsenal characters from Northbanksy in the railway tunnel for you, starting with a fan’s favourite, Gabriel Martinelli, one of three Gabriels in the current Arsenal squad. We could do with a few more goals from him, but he loves the club, and that can be enough.

Northbanksy, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024
Northbanksy, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024

The second piece portrays an unlikely hero at Arsenal, but one who is proving to be invaluable. It is Nicolas Jover, the set-piece coach, whose tactical genius is the envy of teams all over the world. There is a little plaque, which I failed to photograph, in the style of a street sign just above this piece which reads Jover’s Corner, which is a fun play on words. Northbanksy doing the faithful proud.

6631. Hornsey Road, North London

Northbanksy, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024
Northbanksy, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024

The road tunnel under the railway on Hornsey Road has become a gallery for the work of Northbanksy and his tribute portraits to a plethora of Arsenal players past and present, and here are a couple more of his stencil-style pieces.

Northbanksy, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024
Northbanksy, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024

Thounsands of Arsenal fans shuffle along the pavement on match days and stop to admire and enjoy these, if I am perfectly honest, quite crude pieces. The portrait of Ian Wright is a particular favourite, as he embodies the spirit of Arsenal, and his love for the club is so infectious. This piece is also the only one in the tunnel that includes any colour, so it stands out.

Northbanksy, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024
Northbanksy, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024

The portrait of Mohamed Elneny, until recently a loyal and long-serving Arsenal player, reminds us of the good natured and team player, who although not the best footballer in the world, did a magnificent job for the club over many years. I absolutely love this gallery by Northbanksy… more to come.

Football train (Arsenal v Everton)

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Stationary train

destination feels distant

stress levels rising.

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by Scooj