Explore the Vibrant Street Art of Brick Lane: Enjoy a DIY Tour Equipped with a Map
Exploring the Vibrant Street Art Scene of East London: A Self-Guided Tour of Brick Lane
Brick Lane, one of London's most famous streets, is known for its colorful graffiti, rich history, and vibrant culture. This bustling street in East London is a haven for street art enthusiasts, offering an ever-changing art scene where graffiti, paste-ups, and sculptures can be found on every free surface.
Starting Your Journey
Begin your self-guided tour at the corner of Wentworth Street and Brick Lane. As you walk down Brick Lane, you'll notice the first section, known as "Banglatown" due to its historic Bangladeshi-Sylheti community.
Exploring Banglatown
Keep an eye out for murals and paste-ups decorating the shops and coffee houses along Brick Lane. On your right, just before the bridge, is a small alleyway leading to Brick Lane Station Park, nicknamed Graffiti Alley. This is usually home to some great large-scale graffiti.
Heading Towards Hanbury Street
Carry on to the top of Brick Lane. On the other side of Bethnal Green Road, there are usually a few murals, including a "legal wall" used for commissioned street art (usually advertising). Cross back over Brick Lane to the eastern side of Hanbury Street to find a road bursting with lively, eclectic street art and artist's studios.
Highlights Along Hanbury Street
Look out for a huge black and white mural of a crane by Belgian artist Roa on the eastern branch of Hanbury St. Continue along Hanbury Street, which is home to several vintage shops, cafes, and bars, and plenty of street art. Turn left onto Rhoda St for a detour to discover more hidden gems.
Discovering Local Talent
Famous local artists include Jim Vision, Jimmy C, Ben Eine, Stik, Malarkey, and Mr Cenz. Don't miss Dan K, known for his large, immersive murals depicting street scenes. You'll find his works throughout the area, including The Broccoli Lane Gallery on Dray Walk (between Hanbury St and Quaker St).
Iconic Tributes and Emerging Talents
Iconic tributes such as the Tupac graffiti represent lasting cultural artworks. New, impressive murals by local student groups like the SCT art students have also recently appeared near Brick Lane, for instance in Allen Gardens. The area hosts international artists and supports graffiti workshops, sustaining a dynamic and evolving street art community.
Continuing Your Tour
Continue towards the junction with Buxton Street and Quaker Street. Past the bridge, turn left into Cheshire Street, which is jam-packed with fascinating shops, then take the first left into Grimsby Street, where you'll find some awesome large-scale murals. At the back of Grimsby St is a large mural by Hackney-born artist Stik, known for his iconic black and white stickmen. This one is called The Screamers and has been there since 2008.
Two Space Invader Tiles
As you return to Brick Lane, head a short way back down Brick Lane and turn right at Bacon Street. There's always plenty of street art around here, including a pig by Roa underneath the window of the Fifth Dimension Tattoo Parlour. Keep an eye out for two Space Invader tiles (by artist Invader) found near Brick Lane: #ldn_25 next to the entrance to Back Yard market, and #ldn_24 on the left just after the entrance to the Truman Brewery complex.
Wrap Up Your Tour
Brick Lane's street art scene is constantly evolving, but the street art hotspots mentioned in this guide remain the same. The best time to take this walking tour is either on Sunday or on a weekday evening, as many shops have artwork painted onto their shutters, which can only be seen when the shops are shut and the shutters are down.
For more insights into the vibrant street art scene of East London, consider joining one of the guided tours offered by local experts. Happy exploring!
- The vibrant street art scene of Brick Lane extends to various aspects of its local culture, including fashion-and-beauty, with several vintage shops lining Hanbury Street.
2.Brick Lane, renowned for its food and drink options, offers a diverse range of cafes and bars, providing a suitable backdrop for the eclectic street art that adorns the area.
- Home-and-garden enthusiasts might find inspiration in the numerous murals that decorate the walls of Brick Lane, adding a unique touch to this bustling street's landscape.
- Travelers exploring East London can further immerse themselves in the local lifestyle by participating in tours focused on Brick Lane's street art scene, which showcases both iconic tributes and the emerging talents of local artists.
