As Seen on the Streets of London celebrates the history and culture of our city's street art. It is stunning.
London's art galleries are widely celebrated, but it's on the streets of our city that the most eye-popping art appears. From tiny stencils to multi-storey murals, London's diverse street art scene plays out on an ever-changing canvas of concrete, brick and render.
Now, this most dynamic of art-forms has a worthy guide. As Seen on the Streets of London: A Street Art Travel Guide, by Giulia Blocal Riva celebrates the history and culture of London street art in 300 sumptuous pages. And, my word, it's good.
This is a book with a strong sense of place. Different sections zoom in on the main street-art clusters across town, such as Shoreditch, Hackney Wick, Peckham, Notting Hill, Dulwich and Penge (yes, Penge... if you've never had the pleasure, get down there and see some of London's finest murals).
Geography is interleaved with biography. We get to meet some of the key players in London's ever-changing street art scene, including the likes of Phlegm, Sweet Toof , Stik and Jimmy C. Banksy is acknowledged but, refreshingly, never looms large. By the time you've read the book cover to cover — and, despite its length, you will read it cover to cover — you'll be able to identify and appreciate the styles of a few-dozen prominent street artists.
The subject is explored from all angles — from the challenge of getting noticed in a busy landscape, to the rise of corporate street art. I particularly enjoyed the section on the history of London street art, where I learned that Covent Garden was an early hub of activity in the 1980s (on hoardings around the Opera House, no less).
This is a beautifully produced book, written with expertise and flair, with top-class photography, and worth every penny of the relatively high price-tag. I've already made three detours to track down walls and murals I wasn't previously aware of. Joyous stuff.
As Seen on the Streets of London: A Street Art Travel Guide, by Giulia Blocal Riva with photographs by Paolo Giannotti, is available now direct from the author. A Paris version is also available.
