Guest post by Madhura Ballal
London’s art scene is hands down, one of the most vibrant and diverse across the globe. London is the hotbed for artists and art enthusiasts, with the best museums, over 200 galleries, and a wide range of art events throughout the year.
London is home to some of the best art galleries and museums in the world, like the Tate Modern, which includes the works of Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse, the National Gallery, which includes the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, and Claude Monet; making it a culturally rich place for art.
Another form of art that speaks to the contemporary world and fills up dull spaces is Street Art. London boasts some of the best murals worldwide created by local and international artists. So, step out of your student accommodation and explore this list of some of the best street art in London.
1. Leake Street Tunnel
Leake Street Tunnel is located in the Waterloo Area and a short walk away from Waterloo station. It is a 300-metre-long graffiti tunnel that features a constantly changing display of graffiti and art. It is open to the public and is an extremely popular destination for mural and street art enthusiasts. What is special about this tunnel is that for the longest time, it was a grim and dark tunnel before Banksy decided to hold a street art festival called Cans Festival in the tunnel, therefore changing its story!
Image by Joe Chiaro from Pixabay
2. Brick Lane
Brick Lane is famous for its murals on buildings made by artists like Jimmy C and Stik. You will find murals with colourful flowers, animals and the famous high crane by Roa. The area between Buxton Street and Bethnal Green Road is where you will find the most graffiti work.
Image by FrauMoniSwhajor from Pixabay
3. Shoreditch
Shoreditch is known to be one of the most eclectic and vibrant areas, and it has great street art and a creative scene. The iconic ‘Girl with Balloon’ mural by Banksy and abstracts by Roa are located in Shoreditch, which is known to be a haven for artists and creatives since the Victorian era. Head to Shoreditch and take a walk on Rivington Street, where you will find the best murals in the area.
Image by Maike und Björn Bröskamp from Pixabay
4. Hackney Wick
Hackney Wick is an area in East London, and it is absolutely well worth a visit if you are looking to explore some street art while visiting bars and craft breweries. Street Art on Bream Street, Fish Island and Smeed Road, in particular, are the hotspots to find some great murals in Hackney Wick.
5. Camden
Camden is one of the most popular and most visited areas in London and is packed with some great street art. In Camden, you will find the best street art in the Ferdinand Estate, Harmood Street, Hartland Road and Hawley Road – which features a mural of legendary singer-songwriter and Camden native Amy Winehouse. Another mural you cannot miss is the Camden Lock, painted by John Bulley in 1989, which is the longest-standing mural in Camden.
Image by Heike Georg from Pixabay
6. Brixton
The colourful and vibrant area of Brixton is home to some amazing street art and pubs, bars and restaurants. The Stockwell Hall of Fame is where you can find some amazing open-air street art painted by local artists. You will also find some famous graffiti work like the David Bowie mural and the Louis Basai Mee at Brixton.
London is culturally rich and historically profound while being one of the most developed cities in the world. With so much to offer, especially to students, one should take the time out to explore this wonderful city. London is home to the largest uncommissioned street art in the world, and all of them have amazing stories of political, cultural and historical importance to tell.
