New pieces + Breaking news

Well the artists around Brick Lane are out of hibernation alright! These pieces have appeared in the last couple of days. Enjoy!

Sesame Street is a classic and Oscar the Grouch was one of my favourites, though he always seemed to get his comeupance!





















Oscar the Grouch, by BLAM, Hanbury St. off Brick Lane



















Oscar the Grouch, by BLAM, Hanbury St. off Brick Lane


Here's a close-up of the cut out teardrop in the doorway next to Oscar. I really like random little "throw-ups" (as graffiti artists call them) that are quick little messages from the artist


























Cut-out teardrop, unknown artist, Hanbury St. off Brick Lane

Speaking of graffit artists... I'm sure this isn't recent but I only spotted it today. There are plenty of Stik's pieces on here, just go through past posts, there's also an interview that is quite funny. We're planning more interviews while he's doing a piece as well. Watch this space!




















Stik family, by Stik, off Whitechapel High St.

You may have read in my last post that I saw Parlee at work and I intended to go back later to picture the finished piece but it had been tagged beyond recognition? He must have ssen it himself coz this appeared overnight. To be honest (sorry Parlee if you read this) I much prefer this piece anyway, so maybe the taggers did you a favour!

Parlee, car park off Brick Lane

Breaking news - The artist Damien Hirst, of formaldehyde cow fame, has joined my facebook group! I'm sure that this means stardom on the arts circuit awaits me! hahahahaha

Check him, and the other "followers" out at facebook.com/bricklanearts

Coming up:

First Thursday - tomorrow! I will be doing the rounds of all the galleries that open their doors and give away plenty of free booze (not that that's why I'm going ;-0 ). I will (try to, hang-over permitting) upload it on Friday.

Interview with Stik. When he calls me to do his next piece I will hot-foot it over and capture the action, while trying not to be as stupid as in our first interview (see bottom of the page)

That's all folks!

mancpete

Please read my Mission Statement

Mission Statement

This blog is about showing people around the world the wonderful artwork on the streets and in the galleries in the Brick Lane area of London, which I have extended to Aldgate in the south and Hoxton in the north.

Art should be free, that’s why graffiti and street-art are so important to me.

I am cynical about the “artworld” and attack its commercialism whenever and wherever I see fit.

If a gallery has the prices of the artists work next to the piece, this exhibition will not get a good review, no matter how good the work is.

I will strive to get into the head of an artist when I interview them and always ask about the price as a way of ascertaining whether they are in it for money and fame.

I will also ask them about the concept of pieces, and as much as I can about their methodology and technique.

I will report on art-related issues that appear in the press and online.

N.B. This list is not exhaustive, I will probably add more as I extend the blog.

I'm back!

I'm back!


After a 6 month hiatus, I'm finally able to bring you some new reporting of the art-scene around Brick Lane. It's VERY quiet around here in the winter for art (though all the clubs, bars and restaurants still do great business), but now the sun is out the artists come out of hiding to show us what they have been working on during those long, cold, bitter nights.

Of course, not all artists go into hibernation, I'm gonna show you some that have popped-up in the winter and a few more recent pieces as well.

First up, we have "Art is the Cure" by Eska, who is part of a collective that did some paintings next to this. I like the the perspective and depth on this, also the Banksy-esque throw-up of the Queen makes me laugh (click to enlarge)

Eska, Sclater St. off Brick Lane.


Next to this on Sclater St. car park we have Parlee in action. I did come back later to picture the end result, but it had been tagged and toyed already. Effin taggers!















Parlee, Sclater St. off Brick Lane

The third one from the collective is my favourite. I love the freakiness of it. Check it out!















Demayne, Sclater St. off Brick Lane

I saw Stik yesterday and I told that I only just noticed this piece, which also on Sclater St. on a man-hole cover. He actually painted this in January in between snowstorms. See the interview with Stik, along with 3 other interviews, at the bottom of the page.

Some of the sticker artists have been keeping busy, here's couple of good ones.

I like this one not just because of the sentiment, but also the positioning. It's in the courtyard of Bar 1001 on Brick Lane. I think they are meant to be together though its hard to be sure. Maybe they are juxtaposed deliberately.

Fucking Weather! Dray Walk, off Brick Lane. (click to enlarge)

This one is made from paper and actual coat material. The message is also important because I believe it's at least partially true, for example, look at the politicians that go into corporate jobs.

The stencillers have been out as well.

Unless you've been living on Mars, you will be aware that its the royal wedding this week and even the stencil artists arre getting in on the act. This is Prince William, but look closely at the face and ear-rings. Yes it's Princess Diana wearing Wills' military uniform. The artist may be wondering what she would think of the wedding.

Here's a poignant piece by one of my favourite artists, Nathan Bowen. There are a number of his pieces on this blog and all are great. One of his main themes seems to be war and the futility of it. The meaning of the poppy dripping blood seems to say that both the British and American governments have blood on their hands due to their imperialistic ways and greed for oil etc.

Nathan Bowen, "Remember", Brick Lane, London

There seems to be a trend emerging for interactive art. This is quite ingenious in some ways, though I wonder if it'a actually a ploy by a marketing company. Maybe I'm just too suspicious!

Earlier I mentioned that I bumped into Stik the other day. Well... coming soon a live interview while he is painting a piece! I will be calling him soon to arrange it and the next day it will be here, so keep checking in. If you haven't already, have a look at the interview with him below as wellas 3 other artists.

That's all for now, and rest assured, it won't be another 6 months till my next post.

See ya!

Mancpete