East London is well known for its street art. This goes beyond graffiti and is of a status much higher than any type of vandalism; these are usually commissioned works, hidden on every shop shutter, alley way wall and front door from Hoxton to Hackney. You may know Great Eastern Street, the road that connects Old Street with Shoreditch, and its famous ‘Let’s Adore and Endure Each Other’ creation, but there is so much more to be found. You can even take a guided tour of the most well known street art, but if you don’t want to fork out the money, just take a walk down Brick Lane and its side streets, or through Rivington Street and onto Curtain Road and keep your eyes open. Sometimes you’ll spot something hidden behind a chimney stack or a drainpipe, other times it might be on the ground or wrapped around the corner of a building. There’s no point putting your camera away, you will find another artwork sooner than you expect. But don’t think that you only need to do this once. Every time I walk back through these streets there is a new piece on a new space, or an older work has been painted over. I took most of these photos this weekend when I was showing a visitor around the area, but some of these are from times past where I’ve remembered to take a photo before I walk past. Here are my favourites:
