The Media of

the Street

Made in Shoreditch, London – February

2015

Stephen Waddington

@wadds

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

The Media of

the Street

Made in Shoreditch, London – February

2015

Stephen Waddington

@wadds