Walking past the alleys of Brixton and Brick Lane in London exposes you to a world of silent protest. An escape created not through mere paint cans sprayed on the wall but a kitsch of layered graphic elements that have anti-establishment pronouncements. It is easy to identify the glaring defiance — and register the tone of protest in the artwork. The works employ a combination of pop-art styles and experimental graphic insignias and serve as a commentary on several contemporary issues plaguing the world. As political statements, they denounce, demand and amuse.

While it might be easy to dismiss them as vandalism or abstract line drawings, as you walk past them, their motive is not defacement of buildings. The graffiti are integral to the East London art scene, and have served as backdrops for exhibitions in the past. The area has attracted famous street artists such as Banksy, D*Face and Ben Eine. Some of the works build a sense of unspoken solidarity by claiming public spaces and are integral to the everyday visual world of the place. Essentially voicing concerns against consumerist, neo-fascist trends, and patriarchy, they provoke the stroller to pause, think and introspect.

Sreedeep is a fellow at C-PACT at Shiv Nadar University

Where’s the scene at? More recently, Brick Lane has become the chosen site for art exhibitions, and has a thriving student art culture

Counter culture: Brick Lane has attracted famous street artists such as Banksy, D*Face and Ben Eine

Exit by the back door: Brexit incited public opinion online as well as offline

Plot twist: KFC founder depicted shooting himself, in a scathing comment on self-destructive capitalism

Scene-stealer: Brick Lane has been used in many music videos, including ‘All These Things That I’ve Done’ by The Killers and ‘Überlin’ by R.E.M.

No man’s land: Since the art around here is constantly changing, there are always exciting finds to be made in what has become a hub for the East London art scene

Published on May 18, 2018