Prominent Street Art Artists to Watch in East London's Urban Landscape
East London is a hotspot for street art, with notable areas such as Tower Hamlets, Hackney, and the E1 postcode area boasting an array of impressive murals and installations. The city's street art scene is particularly thriving in East London, offering a unique blend of artistic expression and cultural diversity.
Notable Artists and Their Locations
Some of the top street artists in East London include Banksy, STIK, Ben Eine, ROA, Borondo, Cranio, and Sweet Toof. Their works can be found mainly in areas such as Brick Lane, Shoreditch, and Hackney Wick.
Brick Lane
One of East London's most famous street art hubs, Brick Lane, features a vibrant and eclectic mix of large-scale murals and works by both famous and emerging British and international street artists. The area is a cultural hotspot with street art visible on many buildings along the long street that connects Whitechapel and Shoreditch.
Shoreditch
Shoreditch houses an ever-changing display of street art on its walls and buildings. It has been a canvas for legends like Banksy, STIK, and Ben Eine, with a mix of political, social commentary, and artistic whimsy. Guided tours from Old Spitalfields Market can show you around 40 different artists’ works, including ROA, Borondo, Cranio, and more.
Hackney Wick
Further east near Stratford, Hackney Wick offers street art scattered along canals and on old industrial warehouses, including works by local artists like Sweet Toof. This area is known for its repurposed communal art spaces and sometimes political murals.
Other Notable Artists and Locations
In addition to the top artists, there are several other notable street artists in East London. For instance, Dscreet, known for his cartoonish, retro style and obsession with owls, can be found on Grimsby Street, just off Brick Lane. C215, often referred to as the "French Banksy", considers East London his second home and creates close-up portraits using stencils, often of subjects like beggars, homeless people, refugees, street kids, and the elderly.
Jimmy C, an Australian-born street artist, is known for creating murals entirely from blobs of spray paint, with a dreamlike style that borders on impressionism. His work can be found all over Shoreditch, including a commissioned piece at Joe's Kid on Fashion Street.
Malarky is a street artist whose signature style is cartoonish, bold, and funky colored murals, often found on shutters and trucks in East London. Mr Cenz, a street artist who has been active since the late eighties, is known for his super colorful, sci-fi-esque portraits of women that have begun to dominate East London.
Eine, a London-based artist, focuses primarily on letters and words, creating bright, blocky typography and occasional throwbacks to retro signage. His massive words are some of the most iconic pieces in East London, including 'SCARY' under the bridge on Rivington Street and the recently updated 'PROTAGONISTS' and 'EXTORTIONISTS' (previously 'Anti' and 'Pro') walls on Ebor Street.
Accessibility and Frequent Visits
Brick Lane is an 8-minute walk from the Aldgate East subway station, and Shoreditch and Hackney Wick are also well-connected, making these locations easily accessible by public transport. Because street art is transient, some works may change or be replaced over time, so visiting frequently or joining a guided tour ensures the best experience of current works.
[1] Brick Lane [2] Shoreditch [3] Shoreditch Street Art Tours
- Brick Lane, a renowned street art hub in East London, offers a vibrant mix of large-scale murals from famous and emerging artists, stretching from Whitechapel to Shoreditch.
- Shoreditch, another bustling area in East London, showcases an ever-changing display of street art on its walls and buildings, featuring works by acclaimed artists like Banksy and Ben Eine.
- One can join guided tours from Old Spitalfields Market to discover over 40 different artists' works in Shoreditch, including ROA, Borondo, Cranio, C215, Jimmy C, Malarky, Mr Cenz, and Eine.
- Hackney Wick, near Stratford, displays street art scattered along canals and on old industrial warehouses, including works by local artists such as Sweet Toof, making it worth frequent visits.
