London is the cultural hub of the UK, if not the world. It’s filled with galleries, art shows, and festivals. The city is constantly evolving, making it a modern metropolis that attracts all sorts of people. The area of Shoreditch is especially known for its alternative vibe. There, you can find many trendy nightclubs, bistros, and clothing shops. However, it’s probably best known for its amazing street art (and graffiti).
Shoreditch used to be a very poor area, but it’s risen above the ashes and is now even considered trendy. It still has that ‘edge,’ but it’s slowly being phased out with all the new development going on. People are flocking here, property prices have risen significantly in the last few years. There’s so much investment, that people are actually starting to complain that it’s losing its “hip” feel. Despite this, Shoreditch is still an area that is filled with culture and beautiful displays of creativity.
Brick lane especially is filled with beautiful street art, you will see museum-worthy pieces scattered around every corner. Out of all the things I did in London, going on a street art walking tour turned out to be one of my favourites. I did the Free Street Art & Graffiti Tour with Strawberry Tours. I would highly recommend it!
Here are just a few of the works that stood out to me:
This regal portrait was done by David Speed. He specializes in hyper-realistic neon paintings and has become known for the use of pink colour throughout his pieces. He enjoys experimenting with light and shadows and seeing how they play off each other.
David Speed’s Instagram: @davidspeeduk
These wise words are said by writer and street artist WRDSMTH. His signature is writing clever and inspiring quotes above vintage-style typewriters. His works are like little pieces of wisdom scattered across an otherwise hectic world.
WRDSMTH’s Instagram: @wrdsmth
Seeing this piece makes you feel like you’re looking into a secret portal, a shadow realm similar to ours but not quite. It’s so different from the other pieces as it uses a different medium. Perspicere uses strings as a way of creating captivating images. These hyper-realistic string portraits really have a way of drawing you in.
Perspicere’s Instagram: @perspicereartist
The face on this balloon kind of reminds me of Eugene Levy (Google him, I’m sure you’ll see the resemblance!). But not only does this piece’s quirkiness make it stand out, it’s the artist’s ability to make the balloon seem like it’s actually reflecting light! This requires a good understanding of shadow and highlighting, which the artist Fanakapan seems to master brilliantly.
Fanakapan’s Instagram: @fanakapan
I just love this artwork, of what seems to be a rabbit caught in headlights, making a peace sign with his shadow. The artist is a self-proclaimed urban surrealist who specializes in creating unearthly, dreamlike images. His works have a Daliesque feel and often depict animals making cool shadow images.
Enigm’s Instagram: @enlgm
This space girl was done by street artist Jimmy C. He specializes in pointillism and creates very beautiful works that tug at your heart-strings. Quite a few of my favourite pieces are done by him, as they convey such emotion. He also uses a technique where he layers his paintings by dripping different colours of paint until they form a whole image. This unique style, along with the vibrant pastels he uses make for very interesting pieces.
Jimmy C’s Instagram: @akajimmyc
This work is also done by Jimmy C. It was our tour guide’s favourite piece. According to her, it depicts a Polish immigrant with his granddaughter. Back in the day, Shoreditch was a gritty area where many immigrants lived, trying to make a better life for themselves. It conveys such sentiment and emotion, that it’s easy to see why it’s a local favourite.
Jimmy C’s Instagram (again): @akajimmyc
These works are all still fairly new, but the beauty of the London street art scene is that it’s constantly evolving. New art works are being put up all the time, with old ones being taken down. It’s a constant cycle of destruction and re-birth. So by the time you read this, some of these works may not be up anymore and you will discover new ones in their place. But regardless of this, you will for sure enjoy the dynamic and unique vibe that Shoreditch brings. Happy travels 🙂