You've been living in London for years and have a passion for music, art, and photography? Well, you know how difficult it is not to fall in love with two fascinating aspects of this city: graffiti art and Arsenal.
It's true that some people are tempted by teams like Chelsea or West Ham, but we all know that not everyone makes the best choices in life.
Speaking of graffiti art, in London, especially in the east part of the city, graffiti is everywhere. The reasons are numerous, from the inherited history of post-World War II decay to the fact that investments have always been directed towards the west and southwest, places like Wimbledon, Richmond, and Kingston, just to name a few. But the East, particularly Brick Lane, has attracted graffiti artists and street art enthusiasts.
Graffiti art is not a new phenomenon, though. The first drawings on the walls date back thousands of years, in caves. Later, the ancient Romans and Greeks wrote their names and protest poetry on buildings. Modern graffiti, on the other hand, seems to have originated in Philadelphia in the early 1960s, and by the late 1960s, it had already reached New York. This art form truly took off in the 1970s, when people began to write their names, or 'tags,' on buildings all over the city. In the mid-1970s, it was sometimes hard to see out of a subway car window because the trains were completely covered in spray-painted masterpieces.
In London, the abandoned walls of thousands of buildings in the east have become the primary canvas for street artists in the city, making this area one of the trendiest in town.
If you're a tourist, Brick Lane is a must-visit. I remember when, in the early '80s, the area was unknown and discouraged, but today, it's an unmissable destination. Equally fascinating is Stratford, which went from being an abandoned area to the epicenter of the 2012 London Olympics and is now one of the most modern and exciting areas in the city.
But let's return to our starting point: graffiti. As an art lover, I was immediately captivated by Banksy and many other artists. I couldn't resist the urge to photograph their work before they were removed or defaced. Today, after 25 years of taking photos around the city, I've decided to share my collection with the public, which is significant to me. With Christmas around the corner and my new photography business, some of these photos are now available to everyone.
So, if you're looking for a unique gift for yourself, your child, or a friend, visit my website and explore the available works, including versions with elegant black aluminum frames that add a touch of class. Some photos are already visible in the article you're reading, and this could be the perfect opportunity to bring a piece of London's vibrant graffiti culture into your home or to give an original gift.
The complete collection, which is enriched with new photos every week, is available at this link.