Since it is impossible for me to get out and explore London's streets for new street art due to COVID19 and the lockdown, I thought that now was the perfect time to showcase some of my favourite blogs while we are all in lockdown and keeping safe in this difficult and scary time. Since I cannot see the street art at the moment, the next best thing is to talk about it. Today, I want to focus on the Inspiring City blog, which I have been a fan of and following for the past several years. At the beginning of 2013, I started working for a design agency located on Brick Lane, so I was immersed into the ever-changing street art scene, which I invested a great deal of time in locating painting spots and new murals at lunch time and learning who the artists were when I got home in the evenings. Although I have been interested in street art and generally all aspects of "art" before this time, I'd only been to London's "street art zone" two or three times from a few years before 2013, and it was for a curry or the newly-opened BoxPark. Researching the artwork and artists online helped me to learn more about the artists and their style, and one of the authorities on London's street art was Inspiring City. So, let's find out a little more about them.
Hello and thank you for taking the time out to answer some questions for this collaboration. As mentioned, I've been following the Inspiring City blog for several years now, so thank you for creating an awesome blog and keeping it up-to-date with art and exhibitions.
First of all, on a topic we are probably all tired of hearing recently, but how you are coping in this lockdown?
It was strange at first and initially I lost a bit of motivation for blogging. I think this was because I'd been used to getting into the routine of going out somewhere to get inspired and then writing about it when I got back. You can't really go anywhere in a lock down so I wasn't getting that inspiration. Gradually though it came back. I saw that lots of people were doing exciting things online with their art which I wanted to write about.
Do you think COVID19 will alter street art in any way? Do you think it will impact street artists from sharing their work or making a living (if they make any income from their art) and/or the viewer's interaction with it?
I think if anything it has made artists more robust. Artists are now using online mediums in a much more imaginative way. We are seeing online galleries and paint jams happening. Forums and communities are being set up for artist to support and share each others work. It's even becoming easier to sell directly to the consumer and we are seeing things like the #artistsupportpledge really take off. If anything that the lessons of this period should enable a more diverse strategy for artists. In terms of street art in particular, I think we'll see a huge spike in productivity once this lockdown is over. People will be itching to get the spray cans out.
As a matter of fact, I have seen some of the street artists using social media in unique ways. One that comes to mind is the installation that Banksy made in his bathroom. Of course, I've also seen many of the artists I follow sharing more of their artwork online too.
The Banksy installation is so cool. I do wonder if that is really his bathroom though lol. One article I'm hoping to put together soon is about the Virtual Cheltenham Paint Jam, watch this space for that one. Basically artists sent over their work and the team at Cheltenham Paint Festival superimposed them onto buildings in the town using Photoshop. Very cool :)
Ohhh, I can't wait to see the virtual Cheltenham Paint Festival! That sounds awesome.
(Note from Jenikya: You may be interested in seeing the Cheltenham Paint Festival 2018 from Inspiring City [here])
If you think COVID19 is going to be problematic for our artists, is there anything that you can think of to help?
It will be challenging for artists for sure. Joining forums is good and not being set on the old ways of doing things. Artists need to diversify and try new things. That means using social media to show their art and be prepared to engage directly with buyers. This is a time for adaptation as doing things the same way during a pandemic just doesn't work. We've seen that in all walks of life and not just in the art world.
I know there were a couple of events that had to be cancelled this year. I was interested in the Aberdeen event and in Bristol's Upfest this year since it went on break in 2019, and I was looking forward to my first visit to Berlin in early May to explore the city and locate street art. What were you most looking forward to this year but are excited about once we are no longer in limbo?
For me, the two you've mentioned are right up there. Aberdeen's NuArt and Bristol's Upfest are amazing festivals and I would have definitely gone. Other than that I was looking forward to another visit to Lisbon to cover more of the scene there. I've written quite a few articles about that city and I had a few more in mind that I wanted to complete. Immediate plans as soon as it's over though is to get back up north and visit some of the street art in northern towns around Yorkshire and Lancashire. This is my home area so I wanted to catch up and refresh myself on everything new that's been going on up there.
First of all, I love Yorkshire, and my ancestors on both of my parents' side came from a couple little villages near York; it's definitely a wonderful place to visit and covers a large area of the U.K. I've never really considered it as a hotspot for street art. As for Lisbon, are there any particular posts you'd like to share for the Lisbon street art?
Ah lovely Yorkshire. It's still got a way to go for street art, but it has a few notable highlights. The Nomad Clan's giant mural (the tallest in the UK) overlooks Leeds station and Sheffield is a great city to explore for street art. In terms of Lisbon, posts I'd recommend are 'Ten Best Pieces of Street Art to see in Lisbon' and the 'Street Art Murals of Marvila'.
(Note from Jenikya: To read these Inspiring City posts, see 'Ten Best Pieces of Street Art to see in Lisbon' [here] and 'Street Art Murals of Marvila' from Inspiring City [here])
Ok, that's enough of the COVID19 Can you tell me about the dynamic of Inspiring City? Are you an individual or a group of individuals?
It's just me though I do have occasional contributors. Certainly the contributions that people make to the blog are greatly appreciated when they happen. This is particularly true when it opens up another avenue of thought or might expose the blog to another area of the art scene. Generally though it is just me, I write a lot as you can probably imagine.
Yes, you definitely sound busy! When you're not living and blogging art, what do you do?
I work in learning and development. That means I write training courses and deliver training too. It's something I enjoy because although it's different from blogging it's still creative.
Tell me a little more about your blog; how did you start your blog, and how has it evolved over the years?
It started back in 2012 when I moved down to East London from Yorkshire. I was just wowed by what I was seeing around the Brick Lane and Shoreditch areas. The art there was just changing all the time. This planted a seed because in the back of my mind I'd always wanted to write a blog but never knew what on. I thought that I just needed to write about what I was seeing and experiencing. In the beginning this was more general observations but then over the next few years it started to focus mainly on art.
It seems as though you've been around a lot longer than 2012. 2012, what a great year with the Olympics and all of the street art and creativity! A lot was done in the community to bring art to the forefront; a lot was invested in community and art projects, and it's too bad that didn't continue the same momentum in following years.
Too true I feel quite fortunate to have started when I did, there was certainly a lot happening especially when looking back now.
I often see posts featuring street art from various parts of the UK and around the globe! Do you do a lot of traveling to these locations to write up about them, or do you have friends who send you photographs from some of the locations?
It's a combination really. I have been trying to make the most of my travels and when I go to an area I will actively seek out the street art. Recently I made a long trip to Australia for example. I wrote a lot there because the scene is so great in each city. I'm also fortunate to have friends in places like Lisbon and so that's resulted in a lot of recent articles about the amazing art of that city.
(Note from Jenikya: You may be interested in reading these posts from Inspiring City 'Where to see the best street art murals in Athens' [here] and 'Coronavirus Street Art Spreads Across the World' [here].)
I know this is a difficult one to answer, but what were a couple of events and exhibitions that really stood out for you? Were there any particular artists, events, or exhibitions that "spoke" to you through their work?
Good question and it's tough because there is a lot. I think I would mainly focus on the events and in particular the street art festivals. They are such fun and full of great people. The art is just amazing and there's a great atmosphere. I love going to places like Aberdeen, Bristol, Cheltenham and Leicester to see the art begin to transform these areas. You get a greater affinity with the scene and the artists themselves.
Yes, some of my best street art moments have been attending the paint jams to see the work evolve, such as the one Louis Masai helped to organise in Mile End a few years ago for the environment.
I remember the paint jam well you know the pieces are all still there and looking good :)
I also love what I've seen in Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, and in Nottingham. There's still plenty of walls there to paint on, and there is a drive to create. I've never been to Glasgow nor Aberdeen, but I was inspired to do so based on your write-up about the NuArt festival. Both cities have been on my travel list for a few years as it's one of the few bigger cities in the UK that I have never been to, and I would not have thought about locating street art in them, so thank you for the tip.
I'd highly recommend Aberdeen it's such a nice city and the art is really well curated. As there's been three years worth of festivals so far it's really built up a good body of work. Glasgow I would love to get to and just spend a weekend exploring.
One of my favourite posts was your write-up about Lucy Sparrow, the artist who creates sewn felt artwork and launched her "The Cornershop" kitted out with brands and packaging all created in felt. I went to visit the shop in residence in east London and was impressed, and I think her work went over so well here and in her second edition in New York City. I know she had a KickStarter for the project, so is this how you came across her?
Lucy Sparrow is one of my favourite artists. In addition to being immensely talented and one of the hardest working artists I've ever come across, she is super nice. I've followed her career from the start which was pretty much the Cornershop and that kickstarter campaign. I remember seeing it and thinking that this was the most amazing art project. I've since written about her more and I hope to keep doing so, she's an amazing talent.
(Note from Jenikya: You may be interested in reading 'Lucy Sparrow's Felt Cornershop Opens in Wellington Row in Bethnal Green' from Inspiring City [here])
You have also posted street art walks featuring different parts of London from time to time. For readers who would like to see street art and learn more about it, what are some other suggestions for them to visit and learn about street art?
I have written some recent posts which have really focused on this area including guides to Brick Lane, Shoreditch and Camden. Those were really focused on helping someone gain a quick appreciation for wher to go and what to see.Though I think you can't go too far wrong with just checking out the blogs. In terms of purely street art focused then in addition to Inspiring City, the likes of London Calling, HookedBlog and Blocal are excellent. I also then enjoy your own blog, Memoirs of a Metro Girl and Dutch Girl in London to get a wider more cultural view of what's going on.
(Note from Jenikya: You may be interested in reading 'Where to find street art and graffiti in Shoreditch' [here] or 'Where to find street art and graffiti on Brick Lane' from Inspiring City [here])
Over the past five years, London's street art scene seems to be waning. I feel that this started with an increase of gentrification of east London with hotels and expensive flats being built where some of the best walls were located. I have also seen, especially in the past couple of years, artwork being tagged over very quickly. Do you think this destruction is from some in the community who are upset with certain artists gaining recognition and possibly (indirectly) helping to aid in the gentrification of the area? Do you think there is a future in east London for street art, or do you see other locations in London being utilised more for street art? I know there has been more in Penge, an area of London that I have never been to but which is difficult to get to.
It's certainly getting less and gentrification is having a big impact. The sad fact is that the spots are just disappearing. Where once there were great walls, now there are giant blocks of flats. It's meant that new spots have had to be opened up and that includes in places in South London such as Penge. In terms of the tagging then I would say that this is probably more a by product of spots disappearing. It means that there isn't enough to go around in the main centres and so walls get turned around faster.
Where do you see London's street art future? What do you think the future of street art is generally? Do you think it gets fair coverage and recognition as an art form?
I think London will struggle if it can't find new areas. Most of the locations are becoming highly developed and so the walls are just going. Outside of London is where the opportunity is. In many places, councils are seeing street art as a social good. In places such as Aberdeen, Bristol, Leicester and Rochdale for example this is most certainly true. It brings energy to a city and it allows for people to look a the spaces they live in with new eyes. It calls for good curation and a different way of thinking about what the medium is but it can have a huge and positive impact on local communities if done right.
Over the years, street art has been controversial for many reasons. Once the lockdown is over and we are allowed to travel again, where else (besides the United Kingdom and Ireland) do you recommend visiting?
So beyond the UK I would recommend going to Lisbon where there are so many amazing giant murals. Check out too Barcelona which has much more of an earthy scene. If you ever got the chance to travel further afield then I couldn't recommend Banksy's Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem highly enough. Then if you get an opportunity to ever do so, visit the Silo Art Trail in Australia's Wimmera Mallee region. For me I'll be exploring more of the UK. I want to get to Glasgow and Belfast, I would also absolutely love to get over to America to learn about some of the amazing street art projects of the city of Flint in Michigan. There are so many great places to go to see street art.
I have been to Belfast, and it's a fantastic city to explore. There's a fair amount of street art and the political murals. I also recommend Londonderry/Derry. If you do get to Flint, MI (I have never been to Flint), I recommend the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village near Detroit, especially if you're into history and art. The village was created by Ford because he knew his new production-line system would revolutionise the world. He bought up cabins, houses, farmsteads, and working buildings - some owned by notable individuals - to salvage for future generations. I'd also recommend Frankenmouth, MI as it has a couple of nice museums and shops; it's a Christmas village with Bavarian influences and is a nice place to walk around. I would imagine Detroit has a lot of street art; it's sadly pretty run down. I grew up in the state below Michigan.
And that wraps it up! Thank you so much, Inspiring City, for your time, and keep safe! Keep posting more from the world of street art.
Thank you Jenn for having me on your blog I've really enjoyed answering your questions.
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