The Art Gallery Of The Streets - The Graffiti Tunnel
London has always been a city of lights, a wonderful place of elegant, wacky, fun and desirable places; places that showcase all the city of London holds and one of the wonders of London that have always caught my eye is the urban atmosphere; the street food, the street art, the people, the diversity, the culture that makes London what it is.
Now have you ever seen or heard of the Graffiti tunnel? Well, I recently took a trip to London and whilst there, decided to check out the graffiti tunnel and it was incredible, and inspiring - the urban art that speaks to people in many ways. Now a lot of people believe graffiti is vandalism and in ways, I agree but I do believe there’s also a beauty behind it; I believe having places around the world where street artists can create and showcase their work is a great idea; it’s a great way to compromise on graffiti and its place in the world. Granted sometimes graffiti can be disrespectful, messy and maybe can be used as a negative effect on the world, however, what if instead of shutting people's passions and talents down, we try to take a different approach? Yes, graffiti has a bad rep… but why? Looking at these beautiful, crazy and very talented creations, how can the word ‘vandalism’ be used? Graffiti is more than that, it is freedom, power, inspiration, and beauty; it can be a message, a feeling, a story; it can be more than just a painting on a wall.
Sometimes things don’t have to be a fight, or complicated, sometimes seeing and listening can make all the difference. Walking through the tunnel I came across a few pieces that impressed me, spoke to me, the designs that made me question what the artist was thinking and feeling at the time they were creating them, and the feelings they gave me were moving. A few favourites of mine that I decided to name were “The emerald eye owl," “Fox or Dog," “Zayr flower fusion," and “Silent beauty”. Looking at these pictures, what would you name them?
The vibrant colours and the artist's tools simply spray paint, their hands and their imagination - it's incredible. Having places like the graffiti tunnel is a great idea, we should support and encourage this creative and positive idea in hope that graffiti artists all over will respect the positive compromise and support we give them in return and they will be respectful too win-win right?
Do you want to check out the graffiti tunnel? Here is the address; Leake Street, London SE1 7NN.
“Imagine a city where graffiti wasn’t illegal, a city where everybody could draw whatever they liked. Where every street was awash with a million colours and little phrases. Where standing at a bus stop was never boring. A city that felt like a party where everyone was invited, not just the estate agents and barons of big business. Imagine a city like that and stop leaning against the wall - it's wet.” - Banksy
