If you walk down Mare Street in Hackney, you might get the feeling someone is watching you.
It's Rembrandt. Or, rather, a multi-storey, googly-eyed representation of the Dutch master. The huge painting was executed by a team from Global Street Art, whose large-scale murals have been livening up the capital's walls for more than a decade now.
This one is particularly special as it heralds the announcement of a major street art festival for next year. The London Mural Festival 2024 will see hundreds of artists painting up walls across the capital.
Global Street Art runs the festival every four years. The 2020 event was, of course, made more challenging by the Covid epidemic. Even so, over 200 artists managed to paint at 75 different sites across 13 London Boroughs. Some of their handiwork remains in place today, leaving a lasting legacy on our streets.
Says Lee Bofkin, CEO of Global Street Art and co-founder of the festival, “London Mural Festival is an incredible initiative, borne out of our love for public art and our mission to live in painted cities. We can’t wait to bring the festival back to our beloved city next summer.”
London Mural Festival returns in August 2024. The organisers are looking for walls (and other surfaces!) to work on, as well as sponsors, so get in touch via their website if you might be able to help.
