London

On the Streets of London with: Shok 1, Jim Vision, Banksy, Trafik Graphics & the Toasters

November 17, 2017

On my recent trip to London, I came upon some outstanding murals by some of my favorite artists — including many who have shared their talents with us here in NYC. Pictured above is by the London-based pioneer of aerosol X-ray art Shok 1. What follows are a few more walls that particularly intrigued me:

Also by Shok 1

London-based Jim Vision, close-up from huge mural

Banksy’s “collaboration” with Basquiat — just outside the Barbican Centre, the site of Basquiat‘s solo exhibit, “Boom for Real”

Trafik Graphics

The classic London-based stencil artists, the Toasters, in Walthamstow

Photos by Lois Stavsky

Note: Hailed in a range of media from WideWalls to the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.

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Faces in London Open Spaces: Mr Cenz, Carleen de Sozer, Dreph, C215 & Paul Don Smith

November 10, 2017

While in London this past week, I came upon several alluring faces of females on and off Brick Lane. Pictured above is by London-based Mr. Cenz. Here are several more:

London-based Carleen de Sozer, who defines her art as Afrofuturism

London-based Ghanaian artist Neequaye Dreph Dsane known as Dreph

The masterful French artist C215

UK-based Paul Don Smith

Photo credits: 1-4 Lois Stavsky; 5 Sara C Mozeson

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London-Based Stik on: Magpie, the Sale of Street Art Pieces, the Upcoming Phillips Auction and Fundraising for the Community

December 5, 2016

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London-based Stik — one of our favorite street artists — recently announced that he had signed, dated and authenticated an original street art work to be auctioned at Phillips this coming Thursday, December 8.  We spoke to him about it:

Can you tell us something about this particular piece? Where was it first painted? And when?

This piece was painted in 2009 on the former Magpie Social Centre in Bristol, England.

What was the significance of the particular space to you at the time?

Bristol was the capital of street art at the time, and Magpie had always opened their doors to me when I took the four-hour coach trip down from London. Earlier this year, Magpie contacted me and asked me to help them raise funds to relocate after they were suddenly evicted from a building where they’d been for about a decade.

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Selling artwork that had once been in a public space is quite controversial. Have you any thoughts about that?

By working directly with communities in order to manage their artworks, we are trying to preserve the true social nature of street art in a creative way that benefits that community without negatively impacting the artist. All proceeds go back to the community the artworks were painted for.

Have you authenticated other works? If so, can you tell us a bit about them?

Most of my murals have a strong social meaning and that is represented by where the proceeds are allocated. There have been two others — a satellite dish and a garage door from 2012 — that raised money for local organizations in Hackney, East London. This wooden panel from the old Magpie building will help build a new Magpie Project Space to support a new generation of artists.

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Whom can folks contact if they are interested in acquiring the work?

This piece is going through Phillips London who have been very generous in their support for the sale. Lot 90, New Now Sale, Phillips London 8th Dec 2016. A log of all authenticated street pieces can be seen here

Interview by Lois Stavsky; images courtesy of the artist

Note: Hailed in a range of media from the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.

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London-Based Stik on His Iconic Character and His Newly Released Book

October 23, 2015

Stik

Known for his iconic life-size stick figures that have surfaced throughout the globe, East London-based Stik has attained celebrity status with Random House‘s recent release of his first book. While in London last month, I had the opportunity to speak to the artist.

When did Stik first surface? And where?

It was back in 2003 in Hackney Wick along the canal.  It was the safest place to paint at the time.

Can you tell us something about Stik’s origin? What was the concept behind it?

I came up with the idea of six lines and two dots simply because it was the quickest way to paint without getting caught.  My first Stik drawing represented my struggle to find shelter and survive. While homeless, I had lost all my drawings. Anything I could get up on the streets could be seen, at least, for a time.

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How did folks respond to your work at the time?

They liked it. They could identify with it. It especially spoke to lonely people.

How has Stik evolved since it first surfaced?

At first I only painted lonely people.  It was my way of reflecting on my personal struggles. Then as my circumstances improved, I became involved with causes and the figure changed as its context changed.

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What are some of these causes?

Homelessness, gentrification, the National Health Service, underground cooperatives and more.

Your new book, simply titled Stik, is currently a best-seller in London.  What was the concept behind it?

It is a journal of the progression of the Stik project.

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Your book is so stunningly presented and has gotten such wonderful press in London. When did the idea of first publishing a book come to you?

In 2010, while living in a homeless hostel, I was writing a monthly column for the Hackney Citizen that included a mural related to a news story. I did this for a year, and it made me think about articulating meanings.

Any plans to visit NYC?

Yes! I plan to visit NYC in the spring.

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That sounds great!  We are certainly looking forward to seeing you again in NYC!

Photo credits: 2. Tara Murray 3. Dani Reyes Mozeson 4-5. Lois Stavsky; interview by Lois Stavsky

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Street Art NYC in London, Part II: Joachim, Stinkfish, Otto Schade, Cityzen Kane, Phlegm, Conor Harrington, Thierry Noir, Cranio, My Dog Sighs, Spzero76, Captain Kris and Bailon

September 18, 2015

This is Part II of street art and graffiti images — reflecting a wildly diverse range of aesthetic and cultural sensibilities — that we came upon in London last week:

Belgian artist Joachim and Bogota-based Stinkfish

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Chilean artist Otto Schade

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London-based Cityzen Kane, close-up from 3D installation in memory of his son

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UK-based Phlegm, close-up

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Irish artist Conor Harrington

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The legendary Berlin Wall artist Thierry Noir

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Brazilian artist Cranio and UK-based My Dog Sighs

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Bristol-based Spzero76 and London-based Captain Kris at work in Shoreditch

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Brazilian artist Bailon

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Photo credits: 1 – 3, 5 – 8 Tara Murray; 4 & 9 Lois Stavsky

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Street Art NYC in London, Part I: David Walker, Pez, Stik, Vinie, Martin Ron, Jekse & Cines, Alexis Diaz & Elian and TelmoMiel

September 17, 2015

Drawing artists from across the globe, alongside its diverse mix of local artists, London’s walls reflect a wildly varied range of aesthetic sensibilities. Here’s a sampling of what we viewed last week:

London-based David Walker and Barcelona native Pez to the side

"David Walker and Pez"

London-based Stik in front of long-running mural

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French artist Vinie

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 Argentinian artist Martin Ron

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 Chilean artists Jekse & Cines

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Puerto Rican artist Alexis Diaz and Argentinean artist Elian

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Dutch duo TelmoMiel

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Note: Part II to follow

Photo credits:  1 – 3 Tara Murray; 4 – 7 Lois Stavsky

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