The Art of London
Regular readers will know that I’ve got a bit of a thing for street art. Rio is covered in the stuff and some of it is really good! In fact, if you’re looking for things to do in Rio, may I suggest you check out my Gardens and Graffiti walk?
Since I’ve been back in London I’ve been keeping an eye out for some interesting graffiti – last night I found some!
Lovely isn’t it? This is on a door shutter in Hoxton, east London.
I’ve never been a particularly ‘arty’ person, but good street art tends to be more accessible (in both senses of the word) than the more stuffy, traditional art. But I suspect that if I took the time to study up on mainstream art I’d find I liked just as much.
A few years ago I was off work sick, and as there was nothing else on TV, I sat through what turned out to be a fascinating documentary about legendary English Romantic painter J.M.W. Turner. Ever since I’ve been a big fan of his work and was very excited to see there is an exhibition of his work at London’s National Gallery. London’s myriad of top quality art galleries and museums is just another perk of being back.
Turner was known as the ‘Painter of light’. You can see this painting, Sun setting over a lake (1840), at Tate Britain Gallery.
I’ll leave you with something I spotted last weekend. Decidedly low-brow but it made me smile:
From everyone’s childhood favourite ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ by Maurice Sendak.
That reminds of something you’d see in Sao Paulo! Interesting! I guess global cities have something in common!
Did you hear about that Batman Alley (Beco do Batman) in SP? I missed it on my last (and only) visit. Definitely on my list of things to do when I get back…
http://saopaulo.unlike.net/locations/304478-Beco-do-Batman
Funny how the child looks a bit agitated, and the mother serene. And all this is conveyed solely by circles and lines painted over the horizontal lines that run across the shutter.
It is quite beautiful.
On a different note: are you bringing back native English seeds for the herb garden?
Oh dear, I’m so predictable! Yes, I went a bit nuts last week when I spotted a well-stocked gardening centre. Before long there will be a little corner of Rio which will be extra herby.
I really like the first one, and Sun Setting Over A Lake is beautiful. If you ever come to Aus theres these alleyways in melbourne which are covered in street art. Also, some of them have amazing coffee shops. I’ve got some pictures, but I don’t really know how to upload them.
Hey Dan! Good to hear from you mate. One of these days we’ll make it down to Melbourne and then you’ll have to show me the best street art spots :)
If you liked that Turner painting I included, you should check out some more of his work. It’s spectacular!
Yeah, they’re pretty good. I think it was two or three years ago when dad took us down to Canberra to the national Gallery. It was pretty amazing. There were about 3 of Turners, a Monet, a couple of Constables and one Van Gogh (My personal favourite).
Ben and I are planning on starting a blog soon, about fixies and street art. We’re both into bikes now, and the street art around here is really good. But thats just an idea. If not, I’ll email some pics soon :)
Starting a blog would be great Dan – you link to mine and I’ll link to yours! :)
Yeah, sounds good
Well, its up :)
http://cafgraff.blogspot.com.au/
Hope you like it
Great stuff Dan, love it! :D