Street art galleries in London
From Brick Lane and beyond, Time Out rounds up the capital's places to view and buy street art
At first, as graffiti, it was hard to read. Then as spray painting, bombing or tagging or it became hard to love. Without warning and almost instantaneously it gained public acceptance and was relabelled as street art or (shudder) urban art and from then on it’s been hard to avoid.
London is one of the world’s undoubted hotspots for street art, but since the money markets tanked and city boys are no longer lining their halls with street art prints and aerosolled canvases, it’s also proving harder to sell. However, with one clearout of street art losers and poster-boy chancers out of the way, we can definitively say these are the ten best dedicated gallery spaces to discover this genre in the city. It’s still street art, only now mostly indoors and yours to browse and buy.
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Artrepublic
42 New Compton St, WC2H 8DAWith galleries – or rather 'stores' – in London, Brighton and online, artrepublic stands firmly at the commercial end of the street art gallery spectrum. Set over two floors, the London space sells limited edition prints by Eine, Speedy Graphito and Banksy. Read more about Artrepublic
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Black Rat Projects
Arch 461, 83 Rivington St, EC2A 3AYA Brick Lane railway arch turned gallery, Black Rat prides itself on championing the artists it represents. Expect an eclectic and engaging programme of activities. Past projects include launch events for cult street art mag VNA, a huge wall-like installation by Swoon, community workshops by Matt Small and group shows exploring how street artists use paper and printing techniques in their work. Read more about Black Rat Projects
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The Brick Lane Gallery
196 Brick Lane, E1 6SABrick Lane Gallery has recently expanded and now takes in two sites: the original one on the bustling street art hub of Brick Lane and a new space, the Annexe, in nearby Whitechapel. Both galleries exhibit a mixed bag of new and established international and UK artists. Read more about The Brick Lane Gallery
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Lazarides
11 Rathbone Place, W1T 1HRBest known as the man who brought us Banksy, street art entrepreneur Steve Lazarides has two London galleries, as well as one in Newcastle. Lazarides in Rathbone Place caters for the serious collector, with shows by big names such as Invader and Anthony Micallef, while The Outsiders, in Greek Street is a more laid back affair, specialising in exhibitions by up-and-coming talent and offering limited edition prints, studies and books at wallet friendly prices. Read more about Lazarides
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Nelly Duff
156 Columbia Rd, E2 7RGEven among the exceedingly pretty shop fronts of Columbia Road, Nelly Duff stands out thanks to its colourful 'Day of the Triffids' inspired exterior – a collaboration between Sweet Toof, Mr Wim and the Toaster. One of London's first commercial street art galleries, Nelly Duff continues to show and sell prints by the likes of Eine and Pure Evil, alongside graphic design, illustration and tattoo art. Read more about Nelly Duff
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Pictures on Walls
46-48 Commericial St, E1 6LTIn addition to running an exhibition programme Pictures on Walls sell signed and numbered editions and products by a whole host of street artists and like-minded individuals including Bast, Banksy, Cyclops, EVOL, Invader, Sweet Toof, Modern Toss, David Shrigley and others. They also offer a Banksy authentification service where you can upload images and documentation of any Banksys in your possession. if successful, on payment of a fee, you'll receive a certificate of authenticity. Read more about Pictures on Walls
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Pure Evil Gallery
108 Leonard St, EC2A 4XSRun by local street artist Pure Evil – don't be put off by the name, he's exceptionally friendly – this small but important space has a defiantly indie ethos. With a shabby-chic interior and 'no poseurs' door policy, the gallery has been hosting art shows, events and fundraisers, including an recent art auction for injured graffiti legend King Robbo, since 2007. There's also a music production studio in the basement. Read more about Pure Evil Gallery
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Signal Gallery
32 Paul St, London, EC2A 4LBSet up in 2007, Signal defines its remit as contemporary painting, rather than street art. With a focus on figurative work, the Hoxton space certainly has the feel of a commercial fine art gallery but canvases by pioneers of the movement, from C215 to Shepard Fairey, regularly feature in group and solo shows. Read more about Signal Gallery
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Stolen Space
Dray Walk, The Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QLOver the past few years Stolen Space has justifiably garnered a reputation for being one of the capital's prime street art destinations. Housed in the Truman Brewery, this artist-run space balances grit with flair, hosting ambitious, high profile shows by Word to Mother, D*Face and others. Read more about Stolen Space
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Village Underground
54 Holywell Lane, London, EC2A 3PQYou can't miss Village Underground thanks to the four brightly coloured, graffiti-covered tube carriages, now artists' studios, perched on its roof. The recycled Jubilee line carriages, and accompanying shipping containers, accommodate a community of artists, writers, designers, filmmakers and musicians. Their renovated Victorian warehouse space hosts exhibitions, concerts theatre, live art and club nights. Plans are underway to turn one of the exterior walls, a spot already popular with local street artists, into a permanent exhibition site. Read more about Village Underground
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