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Shoreditch Street Art: Just Passing Through!

Last fall I attended the World Travel Market in London, a three-day sensory overload of networking with travel industry and destination exhibitors (5000 stands and 50,000 visitors!). I stayed with a friend and fellow blogger, Shobha of Just Go Places, who lives in London. Each day we got in her car and drove across the city to the event venue, passing through, among other neighborhoods, Shoreditch.

art on the wall around a construction site in Shoreditch, London
art on the wall around a construction site in Shoreditch, London

As we crept each day, in each direction, around various construction projects, I noticed the abundance of street art we were passing, both on temporary walls around construction sites, and on the buildings themselves.

street art in Shoreditch, London
This one is creepy!

Given that we often moved at no more than a snail’s pace, I took the opportunity to take lots of pictures.

art on an art gallery in Shoreditch, London
art on an art gallery

Here’s another one on a temporary wall around a construction site:

street art in Shoreditch, London
Such wonderful detail and color!
street art in Shoreditch, London

This is more of the same artwork; I just couldn’t fit it into one photo!

Some of what I’d call “street art” is on the buildings themselves in Shoreditch instead of traditional signage:

a Doc Martens store in Shoreditch, London
a Doc Martens store

Notice the artwork over the doorway next to the Doc Martens:

street art in Shoreditch, London

Check out this huge painting fronting a bar:

painting on Barfly in Shoreditch, London
Painting on Barfly

These works were on the side of a building:

art on the side of a building in Shoreditch, London

Besides artworks at street level, we also spotted three-dimensional art up above the storefronts:

three-dimensional street art in Shoreditch, London
above a shoe store

And here’s another:

street art in Shoreditch, London

If you’re into street art, visit Shoreditch, but don’t do it as I did: passing by, captive in a car. Go out and walk around. There were plenty more excellent works of art that I couldn’t manage to get a decent picture of, either because we were moving at the time, or because too many people walked by just at the wrong moment.

Shoreditch is a trendy area with quirky shops and bars anyway, so plan your visit for the afternoon and stay the evening. This site has lots of information about what to see and do, besides admire the street art. Next time I’m in London, I’ll certainly take some time to walk this neighborhood!

Make sure to take a look at these other London posts:

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about Rachel

Hi, I’m Rachel!

Rachel’s Ruminations is a travel blog focused on independent travel with an emphasis on cultural and historical sites/sights. I also occasionally write about life as an expatriate. I hope you enjoy what I post here; feel free to leave comments!  Read more…
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Wow there’s some very talented people around. So these street arts are legal? I don’t see how they can do this if they have to constantly run away from the police.

Great photos! I think the last two are in Camden, another area with great street art.

I love street art. These are great. I’ve not been to the Shoreditch area – maybe on my next trip to London.

Stunning! What an artists are hidden out there! I love the shoes most #TPThursday