Other Notable British Street Artists You Should Know

Modern Shoreditch might be associated with overpriced coffees and members’ clubs, but 25 years ago, in a landscape dotted with abandoned factories, strip clubs, and bombed-out buildings, it was the birthplace of an exciting new art movement.

At the bottom of Leonard Street, the Dragon Bar became the hub for guerrilla artists across the UK. Ben Eine, a former barman at the venue and now a globally successful street artist, recalls, “It was the hub of what was happening in the British street art scene. There were people like myself, Banksy, D*Face and other kids doing lots of stuff around there.”

Years later, Banksy has become a household name whose work fetches millions and regularly garners media attention. His anonymous identity adds to his allure, making him the UK’s third most popular artist after Vincent van Gogh and Leonardo da Vinci.

But Banksy’s fame isn’t the whole story. The UK street art scene is rich and varied, featuring artists like 10 Foot, Stik, Inkie, and My Dog Sighs who contribute groundbreaking work. London-based street artist Pegasus acknowledged Banksy’s influence: “Banksy has played a huge part in the success of many street artists who came after him, as he helped open the door to many creatives like myself.”

Pegasus, however, also noted that other talented artists across the UK deserve recognition but are often overshadowed by the collective aura around Banksy. Street artist Bambi likened Banksy’s mainstream breakthrough to the Beatles’ impact on rock and roll. “Visitors come from all over the world just to scope it out,” she said, speaking of the UK’s rich street art culture.

Mr Cenz, known for his surrealist graffiti art, believes that Banksy’s fame has brought significant exposure to the entire scene. Nevertheless, he pointed out double standards, noting that while Banksy’s work can thrive, other graffiti artists face severe consequences for similar acts. “Anyone else who painted on the front shutters of London zoo would be put in prison,” he said.

Ben Eine, who co-founded the Pictures on Walls gallery with Banksy, also observed the privileges that come with Banksy’s status. “Banksy is one of the few street artists who still goes out and paints illegally. But he can afford things like cherrypickers and a PR company. It’s great for the media exposure, but it raises questions when police intervene to stop the theft of illegal graffiti.”

Like Shoreditch’s transformation, Banksy’s rise reflects the commercialisation of what was once an underground industry. Eine reminisced, “Thirty years ago, street art felt like a thriving, exciting scene. Slowly, the walls we painted on got commercialized by advertisers for brands like Burberry and Gucci.”

Mr Cenz appreciated the contrast from the early days of street art in the Bronx in the late ’60s to now, highlighting that the availability of commercial work has made street art a viable career. “It really crossed over when Banksy first materialized.”

Despite the commercialization, street art continues to captivate younger generations. Inkie, a renowned graffiti artist from Bristol, mentioned his workshops for young people. “It’s one of the most popular classes. My team recently worked with over 260 kids at the Womad festival teaching basic calligraphy and spray-can skills.”

Ben Eine affirmed the ongoing appeal, saying, “Street art stems from graffiti, and graffiti is exciting. Spray paint is exciting. Tagging your name on the side of a wall is exciting. Getting chased by the police is exciting. It gives you an identity. Most street artists have an alter ego that they make famous.”

Painting on walls and shutters bridges a gap, offering art to those intimidated by traditional galleries and museums. Mr Cenz emphasized, “Street art is about painting for people, especially in more deprived areas where they need uplifting.”

Eine added, “You just walk down the street and see something and say, ‘Oh my God, hey Jimmy, look at that.’ It’s accessible. Getting your face out of your iPhone, opening your eyes and looking around is a healthy thing to do.”

Other notable British street artists:

Stik: Known for his monochrome stick figures, Stik emerged in the early 2000s and uses his work to raise awareness of societal issues.

Ben Eine: A pioneer in contemporary typography art, Eine’s work is housed in museums worldwide.

Bambi: Often called the “female Banksy,” Bambi gained a following with her depictions of cultural icons.

Inkie: Emerged from the 1980s Bristol scene and has exhibited work globally, drawing inspiration from diverse sources.

My Dog Sighs: Known for using found materials like abandoned food cans, My Dog Sighs built an international following.

Phlegm: Sheffield-based muralist whose work can be seen in run-down and disused spaces.

Mr Cenz: Began in 1988, moved from illegal tagging to global exhibitions featuring his abstract letterforms and shapes.

Source: The Guardian