Rich in its history and a proud melting pot of cultures, London is easily one of the most exciting urban environments on the planet. Whether it’s international landmarks, epic museums or a world-leading calendar events that draw you to the UK’s capital, you’ll find there are all sorts of sides to this city just waiting to be uncovered.
As a thriving hub for creatives, London has no end of galleries and exhibitions you can fill your itinerary with if art is your thing. But some of the best work you’ll see in the city these days is even easier to access. Street art is a big deal across the capital, and you’ll find all kinds of exciting pieces as you explore the streets of areas like Spitalfields, Hackney, and Hoxton, among others. To help get yourself familiarised with the scene before you swing by The Big Smoke, here are some inspiring artists leaving an impression on London’s streets.
@benslow
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Born and raised in the capital, Ben Slow’s captivating murals are an instantly-recognisable presence on the city’s streets. Always featuring photorealistic black and white portraits among vivid splashes of colour and abstract scenes, Ben’s work aims to capture the culture and essence of the community wherever his work sits. Long fascinated with the vibrancy and blending of cultures that makes London what it is, his wall art seeks to immortalise local figures and tell their story.
@eelusart
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Monochromatic figures set among seas of the rainbow are the calling card of artist Eelus. Self-taught and inspired by the work of Banksy, Eelus has been a feature on the London art scene since arriving there in the early 2000s, going from strength to strength since. Appearing at Banksy’s ‘Cans Festival – A Street Party of Stencil Art’ in the capital, his work most recently appeared at OURTYPES ‘UP’ show in March 2020. Though he’s now based in neighbouring Brighton, there’s almost always a way to catch his work when you’re in and around London.
@antcarver
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Working from his Whitechapel studio, Ant Carver’s striking street work stands out from the pack. By mixing contemporary approaches to street art with more traditional painting methods, he’s able to capture intricate details and convey a sense of emotion through his portraiture. With this set among vivid, colourful and often abstract elements, his mural work will certainly leave a mark if you’re lucky enough to spot it on the London street art trail.
@fanakapan
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Known as the pioneer of “balloon graffiti”, it’s hard to mistake Fanakapan’s London works. Bringing flat surfaces to life with hyper realistic balloons that give the illusion of popping off the walls, each piece is distinct and full of fun or character. With work often appearing at exhibitions throughout the city, you’ll also stand a good chance of seeing his pieces by exploring areas like Hoxton and Bermondsey.
@curtis_hylton
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Based out of neighbouring Hampshire but making his presence well-known in the capital, Curtis Hylton’s work is quite literally teeming with life. Often featuring colourful, crisp depictions of plants and animals in whimsical, eye-catching arrangement, his murals tread a fine line between the realistic and the dreamlike.
@racheljoylettering
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Based between Paris and London, Rachel Joy Price is a celebrated lettering artist with a seriously impressive portfolio. Having worked with some of the biggest brands around, you can also often enjoy her sharp, stylish and colourful work on the city’s streets. Most recently, she collaborated with fellow lettering artist Ben Eine on a piece for the London Mural Festival 2020, declaring the never-more-important message of ‘Stronger Together’.
@davidpuckartist
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Working between London and Los Angeles, David Puck is a fresh and exciting young multi-disciplinary artist. Though mural pieces are just one part of their vast portfolio, these expressive and colourful works seek to explore the human experience, particularly in themes of identity and mental health. Frequently collaborating with some of the world’s best known drag artists to deliver powerful, motivational and political pieces, their work is making a statement on London’s streets.
@faunagraphic
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Born in Lancashire and based in Yorkshire, environmentally-focused Fauna is certainly no stranger to London’s street art scene. With vivid and dreamlike works that depict arrangements of flora and fauna, she seeks to celebrate the importance and beauty of the natural world. Set among typically gritty and urban environments, her mural pieces capture the imagination and provide a sense of escapism.
@itsrosiewoods
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Based in London but sharing her art across the globe, Rosie Woods’ ethereal walls offer a sense of fluidity and dynamism. Combining a love for the urban in her home city with a captivation on the natural, her weaving, undulating works bring a sense of calm to the gritty metropolitan landscapes they inhabit. Rosie works primarily in an unmistakable palette of teals, blues, purples, pinks and reds, and no London art scene immersion is complete without tracking down one of her murals.
If you’re looking to lift the lid on London’s world-class street art scene, you’ll need a suitably stylish base. NYX Hotel London Holborn takes the electric vibe of the city streets and invites it inside, with a chic and urban feel throughout that adds plenty of welcome luxury touches to any London trip. Putting you in the thick of the action –
equal in distance from West End and The City – you can easily get out and explore on foot by day and evening. When the night comes to a close, you’ll have somewhere seriously comfortable to retire to, perhaps via a night-cap cocktail in our strikingly-styled bar.
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