Graffiti or street art is the rawest form of media. It challenges culture and society through both its medium and its message.
Artists don’t seek recognition, or celebration, but instead are motivated by sharing their work with a large audience, publicly, outside the confines and limitations of the modern establishment.
It avoids censor but is rarely defamatory or libellous. That would be too obvious.
The media arose with simple messages as a comment on World War II and has grown up as a form of visual activism spreading with artists internationally.
Bell Lane, London E1 7LA | Guido Van Helten
Fashion Street, London E1 6PX | Bacteria Group and Deno Sins
Fashion Street, London E1 6PX | Various
53 Brick Lane, London E1 6PU | Unknown
Fournier Street, London E1 6QE | Shok-1
Fournier Street, London E1 6QE | Stik
Critics dismiss street art as vandalism, and the art and media establishment largely ignores it. That’s important as it ensure that street art remains a genre of sub-culture.
In my view street art is a mirror on society that you won’t find in a focus group or tabloid newspaper. Business people and politicians would do well to take note.
In January, street artists were quick to express their support for satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and free speech following the attacks that killed 12 staff.
Fournier Street, London E1 6QE | Otto Schade
Hanbury Street, London E1 5JD | Roa
Fournier Street, London E1 6QE | Unknown
Yard next to 53 Brick Lane, London E1 6RF | Tizer
Yard next to 53 Brick Lane, London E1 6RF | | Jaycaes
Yard next to 53 Brick Lane, London E1 6RF | Mr Cenz
Yard next to 53 Brick Lane, London E1 6RF | Unknown
Yard next to 53 Brick Lane, London E1 6RF | 40HK and ALO
Buxton Street, London E1 5EG | WRDSMTH
103 Brick Lane, London E1 | Cranio
Work comments on cultural and political events, humanity, or is plain fun. It is almost always thought provoking.
Images are created using a variety of techniques from freehand spray painting, to stencils, stickers and posters.
Street art has become an international phenomenon as artists travel. Search for #graffiti and #streetart and let Flickr, Instagram and Wikipedia be your guide.
These images are from a walk around Shoreditch, London, UK.
Allen Gardens (Pedley St, Brick Lane), London E1 | Unknown
Allen Gardens (Pedley St, Brick Lane), London E1 | Louis Masai
Pedley Street, London E1 5ES | Endless Artist
119 Brick Lane (opp. Grimsby St), London E1 6SE | ZABOU
149 Brick Lane, London E1 6SB | Malarko
68 Scalter St (next to Craft Coffee), London E1 6HR | Selor
Chance Street, London E2 7JB | Roa
Whitby Street, London E1 6JU | Jimmy C
Club Row, London E1 6JX | Skeleton Cardboard
Redchurch Street, London E1 6JX | Unknown
Commercial Street , London E1 | Unknown
Boundary Passage, London E1 | Unknown
Comedy Café, Riving Street, London EC2A 3AY | Craino