Meeting ROA

With a tip off from the fabulous Cityzen Kane (who I was with last weekend scoping out a top secret project that I’ll write about soon), I found out ROA was in town! It’s no secret now as his latest wall was finished this week, but it was a pleasure to be able to watch him in action and see it all start to come together without the crowds.

Cityzen Kane told me the approximate area where he was painting and gave me the mobile number of Ijam who was making on a stop motion film of ROA at work. Eventually I found them at the end of Voss Street between Derbyshire Street and Bethnal Green Road. I’ll post a few of the photos I took which weren’t great since it’s such a gigantic wall and this was a spur of the moment thing so I didn’t have the right lens, but there’s a final photo at the end as well.

ROA was standing with a small group of friends taking a break. He shook my hand curiously and I followed Ijam up to the roof of some flats across from the wall where he was filming to get a better look from above. The wall stretched in front of us was massive and with the help of a crane, ROA was painting about 10 different intertwined animals. He had finished about four at this point and was working on the fifth – all of which had been done in about three days at that point.

And sure enough, within another minute or so, he was back at it, hood up, working diligently, stepping back, taking a look, approaching the wall again and making three or four long strokes with the black spray paint and then stepping back again. I don’t know how he works on such a large scale, but impressive to watch such a prolific, talented artist at work.

Eventually, he came up on the roof and we talked for a while. He was covered in paint, all black and white. It was engrained under his fingernails, in the creases of his knuckles, wiped across his hoodie and trousers and splashed on his shoes. It was a bit surreal hanging out in a random back alleyway of East London with Ijam who grew up in Malaysia, another friend of ROA’s from Zimbabwe and my favourite Belgian artist, looking down on this amazing gigantic piece of artwork that barely another person in this city knew existed yet at that point while a Bangladeshi woman with her head covered hung laundry on the roof next door.

We talked about his recent work in a dangerous area of Panama City. He was surprised I had already seen it online since it was “wasn’t that long ago”, but most of his work goes up online when it’s still a work in progress. He’s been called the “Da Vinci of the Streets”. He may not realise it, but he has a pretty loyal following!

The topic of some other pieces he’s created in the past year came up. He’s worked recently in Argentina, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Arizona (in fact, all over the States including one pretty close to where I’m from in Rochester, New York), Norway, Australia, and had a gallery show in Belgium and so on (yes, there’s many others). While he comes from Belgium, he spends much of his life as an artistic nomad on the road.

Photo: This is what the final piece looks like. I haven’t been about to get down there yet to see it finished, but Street Art News took this great shot from the roof. 

He said he created his first tag at the age of 13 and has been making art on walls for about 20 years. The work he’s so well known for now is his black and white paintings of animals which are indigenous to the area in which he’s painting. Sometimes he shows cross sections, revealing the innards as well. We talked about the ways in which the street art scene has changed over the years and then he took the last sip of his beer that was resting on the railing and sauntered down the steps to survey his work and pick up his spray paint cans again.

The impression I get is that ROA’s not too bothered about the promotion of his work so much as simply the process of creating his art. He just wants to paint. When I asked him for an interview, he said he only does one or two a year as he’s a very private person and doesn’t like to repeat himself, but maybe. So hey, you never know. But I can tell you there will definitely will be one with Cityzen Kane toward the end of the Summer and I’m very much looking forward to telling you all about his stunning work as well!

Listen to a Londoner: Gail Haslam

Listen to a Londoner is a weekly interview with a Londoner – someone who lives in this city, born here or elsewhere. If you’re up for being interviewed, email littlelondonobservationist@hotmail.co.uk.

Gail Haslam

Gail Haslam is a writer, editor and blogger who also tries to fit in crafty endeavours when she has time, or the supplies threaten to take over the house again. At the moment she’s a social media consultant for a chocolate company, and does realise how lucky she is.

LLO: How long have you been in London, where are you from originally and what brought you here?
GH: I’m originally from Ireland. Almost straight after university I travelled around Australia for a year and then thought I’d spend six weeks in London, until Christmas. That was thirteen years ago, almost to the day.

LLO: One of the main topics on your blog, One Million Gold Stars, is food. Where are a few good places in London to pick up ingredients if you’re looking for something unusual?
GH: I’ve been cooking a lot of Mexican food lately and I’ve been buying all my dried chipotles and ancho chiles from Casa Mexico in Bethnal Green.  They also do a fine line in Mexican pottery and Day of the Dead dolls, if you’re so inclined.
I’m a bit intimidated by the packed-to-the-rafters Vietnamese supermarkets on Mare St but Uyen from Fernandez and Leluu has volunteered to take me shopping and show me what’s what.

My boyfriend and I share the cooking in our house, but my favourite hobby is baking. I’m always on the lookout for supplies and tools. The Make Lounge, a creative workshop centre in Islington, carries ‘essentials’ like edible glitter and good quality paste food colourings.

LLO: I’m in London for one night only and need a good food and drink recommendation away from the tourist trail. Where would you send me?
GH: If you can get a table, I’d try Namo on Victoria Park Road and try the Ga hap la chanh – steamed chicken in lime leaves with ginger and lemon. So simple yet so good.  Then on to Hemingway, further up Victoria Park Road towards Mare St.  Enjoy a tipple while marvelling at the taxidermy.

LLO: If you’re out and about on a rainy winter day, where’s your favourite place to pop in and cosy up with a warm drink?
GH: I’ve a long standing affection for the the Cafe in Foyles on Charing Cross Road and fond memories of their hot chocolate. I’m lucky to have a great selection of cafes locally – the Pavilion in Victoria Park and a new addition, Amandine. Not only do they source ingredients like eggs from the Deli Downstairs, a few doors down, they even grow some of their own ingredients.

LLO: When you’re looking for a bit of Irish food or culture in London, where do you go?
GH: Ah – I’d have to admit that it’s not something I’ve ever looked for – too many other cuisines to explore here. I did have excellent soda bread at Corrigan’s recently (laced with molasses for a very defined sweetness) and it’s one of the things I do miss from home.

LLO: If you’ve had a long day so you’re not in the mood to bake, but you’re craving something sweet, where’s your favourite London bakery?
GH: Arianna Halshaw is probably my favourite baker.  I’ve always ordered cupcakes and her infamous Rice Krispies marshmallow directly from her but I understand she’s now supplying cupcakes to The Espresso Room.  Otherwise I’m rather partial to a cupcake from Ella’s Bakehouse in Covent Garden. Peanut Butter please.

LLO: What has been your most unusual eating experience in London?
GH: The ‘March Madness, April Fools’ themed night at Trail Of Our Bread, a local supperclub.  It involved rabbit, absinthe jelly and the best surprise birthday cake I’ve ever had. It was shaped like a flowerpot, complete with crumbled Oreo “soil”. 

LLO:Which area of London are you most familiar with and what’s the best part about it?
GH: East London, I’ve lived around here for ten years, gradually drifting from Shoreditch to Bow to Victoria Park. I love the park itself, and the fact that you can head out one gate and make your way to the Counter Cafe after a wander around Hackney Wick, or head around the perimeter and down the canal to visit Broadway market. Or venture right into the east side of the park and go and visit the deer. (Yes, really).

LLO: Tell us about a memorable moment that could only have happened in London.
GH: On Millennium Eve, we stood on Victoria Embankment, directly opposite the Oxo Tower and watched fireworks going off over three bridges, up and down the river. It was beautiful.

LLO: Best London discovery you think other people should know about?
GH: Wilton’s Music Hall.  It’s the oldest operating music hall in the world, and it’s run by a very small but incredibly dedicated team who are determined to preserve this atmospheric, magical building for generations to come. As well as reviving old style vaudeville, it also stages productions for other larger theatres as well as live music and also acts as a film location.  Visit for one of their monthly free cinema nights, to see archive footage of London through the ages.

Thanks Gail!

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Listen to a Londoner: K Anderson

Listen to a Londoner is a weekly interview with a Londoner – someone who lives in this city, born here or elsewhere. If you’re up for being interviewed, email littlelondonobservationist@hotmail.co.uk.

K Anderson, 28

K Anderson plays ‘lesbian music by a boy’ – confessional, conversational songs about the important things in life – getting older, bad sex, and needing a special someone in your life who can shave your back hair for you.

LLO: Which aspects of London life most influence your creativity?
KA: I think the randomness of London life is what is most inspiring. Turn a busy street corner and you could walk into a makeshift market, a film shoot, a drunken punch up or a protest march – you just never know. Speaking of random, the other day I ran into a girl who I went to primary school with on the other side of the world. My head is still spinning about that.

LLO: Where are you from originally, how long have you been in London and what brought you here?
KA: This is always a bit confusing: I was born in Scotland, but emigrated to Australia with my family when I was 8, and then moved to London when I was 22. My friends in high school were obsessed with Oasis, and I was obsessed with the Spice Girls, so England was the obvious place for us to plot our escape to. I was the only one who actually managed to move here, though…

LLO: Tell us about the making of your video for “Shrug”. Lots and lots of feet…
KA: I carried a video camera with me for a few months, and sheepishly asked all of my friends to dance for me when I caught them in a good mood.  I wanted a light and breezy video to go with ‘Shrug’, which is one of those toe-tapping songs disguising a sinister lyric. The hook of the song – ‘You want to call what we do love, I want to call it dirty sheets’ – keeps getting me into trouble with prospective romantic partners…

LLO: Favourite place in London to spend a Saturday night out on the town?
KA: My favourite club night is ‘Unskinny Bop’, which is held at The Star of Bethnal Green. They always play totally random songs, and so you find yourself dancing to tunes you haven’t heard in years and years. Expect Betty Boo followed by The Temptations, Fuzzbox, and The Backstreet Boys. Amazing!

LLO: What’s the best part about living in your postcode?
KA: I live in Stoke Newington, and although there are a number of pushchairs to avoid when walking down Church Street, I don’t think I would want to live anywhere else. There is a real sense of community here, and everyone I meet is fiercely proud of this little village. Oh, and there’s an amazing vegan stall at the local farmer’s market.

LLO: I hear you’ve been inviting people into your big new bed. Tell us more.
KA: I’m slightly modest when talking about my music, but if you start me talking about my bed you won’t get me to shut up! It’s a super-king-size, and I have been madly in love with it since I bought it last year. I started a video series, ‘In Bed With K Anderson’ as a way of not only showing it off, but the talents of my many singer/songwriter friends. The premise is simple – people come over and sing a cover of a recent hit song in my bed with me. It’s been such an inspiring project for me, and it’s great to discover they way other people approach music making.

LLO: While you were in bed singing Rihanna/Eminem cover, you wore a t-shirt with iron-on letters that says “vegans make better lovers.” Are you vegan? If so, what’s your favourite place to go out for vegan food in London?
KA: I am, indeed, a vegan. I would have to say that my favourite place to go in London for vegan food is RootMaster (www.root-master.co.uk/) – it’s an old routemaster bus which has been converted into a bustaurant (see what they did there?), and has delicious pizzas. Oh, and the cheesecake is quite delicious too.

LLO: What’s your favourite unique London discovery?
KA: Candid Café, which is behind Angel station, is just lovely. In an area which is riddled with Starbucks, Café Nero and Pret a Manger, it is nice to find a little, unique space which sells plenty of varieties of teas and has proper, worn-in couches to spend an afternoon lazing in. What’s especially good about it is that there’s almost always a place to sit!

LLO: You just launched your album, The Overthinker. Why should we immediately pick up a copy and have you thought about what’s next?
KA: ‘The Overthinker’ is a snapshot of London life for an unsure 20-something year old; someone who is no longer cocky enough to believe the world will bend at his whim, but also not yet fully comfortable with the person he is becoming. It is at times awkward, brash, and comforting. At all times, though, it is honest. Perhaps too honest.

For the future, I am most looking forward to doing more writing – bringing out an album is hard work! Before that, though, there will be more ‘In Bed with K Anderson’ sessions and music videos to accompany songs on the album. I will also be hitting the road soon, visiting different parts of this country with my guitar on my back…

LLO: What’s your favourite place to play a gig in London?
KA: I love playing at the cabaret venue Royal Vauxhall Tavern, because it has a proper stage, lovely sound, and a really appreciative audience. Oh, and it’s probably one of the only venues I play at in London which has its own dressing room. It may not be swanky, but it’s rather fun telling people that you have to go to the dressing room to get ready.

Thanks K!

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Candy Machines in Bethnal Green

Found these candy/toy machines outside a corner shop in Bethnal Green. Took me back to the carefree days of childhood in New York, 10 cents in a slot and out popped a colourful candy necklace or bouncy Super Ball or some other simple piece of plastic that could keep you entertained for hours…

London Art Spot: Maggie Jones

Eight years ago, Maggie Jones left her home in Wales to make a new start in London after a divorce. She was born in Oxford. Four days a week, she works as a nurse in a large general hospital and on her allotment one day. During the other two days, she is traipsing around the streets of London photographing its architecture and capturing its history. A desire to “preserve” these things leads her to take about 200 photos per day, documentary style. She shares a  few below.

For this week’s London Art Spot, Maggie also shares a story about meeting a man who was once considered the most dangerous in  Britian, talks about her fascination with London’s street signs  and doors and tells us about her discovery of a small artists’  colony in near East India Dock.

“Man on the tube. It was interesting to see how barriers were broken by the presence of a small cute furry animal.”

LLO: How does living in London influence your creativity?
MJ: London influences me because of it’s history. It’s so deep and interwoven with the streets and buildings it’s impossible not to see and feel it. I always feel that I want to ‘capture’ this history and I can only do that with a camera.

“South Bank street performer. I love the expression of the two children who are listening to every word of the ‘soldier’.”

LLO: Favourite place in London to take your camera and why?
MJ: My favourite place is the East End. I love its grubbiness and lack of pretentiousness. I’m not comfortable in the swanky parts of London; they feel shallow and artificial to me. The East End, particularly Hackney, Brick Lane and the canals have a solid real feel to them. This is where London first acquired its wealth and history. I also think working class people, especially the artisans of the Victorian era are frequently overlooked and forgotten about. An example is Sir Joseph Bazelgette the sewer builder. We hear all about his wonderful achievements but nothing of the vast army of skilled working class men who helped him achieve his goals.

A very old traditional East End  funeral on Cable Street. They still take place today. 

LLO: Share a photo with a great story behind it and tell us about it.
MJ: Some friends and I went on a self-guided walk showing where the Kray Twins had their adventures in and around Bethnal Green. As we stopped and chatted outside the Repton Boxing Club, where the twins used to train, the door opened and out walked Mad Frankie Fraser! Mad Frankie was a gangster who had been a contemporary of the Krays and was described by two Home Secretaries as the most dangerous man in Britain. He stopped and chatted to us; he was absolutely charming. Frankie was then 84 (April 2009) and told us that he now takes the general public on private tours to his old stomping grounds around the East End in a mini bus for about £45!

Mad Frankie Fraser

LLO: You’ve got 632 photos of London street signs on Flickr. What made you start shooting street signs? Share your favourite one?
MJ: I started taking photos to help me document where I’d taken the pictures, but then I realised that these street names are clues to London’s history. For instance, Old Jewry EC2 is where the first Jews were allocated places to live and Knightrider Street where knights would lead a procession from the Tower to Smithfield. Some of the signs themselves are also very old and are fast disappearing. Some are handmade and hand-painted.

Keppel Row

LLO: You also have nearly 700 photos of London street art. Who are your favourite London-based artists?
MJ: I really like Xylo. He always makes intelligent, thoughtful art. He is currently sticking up small plaques of the golden Panamanian frog because it’s an endangered species. He also puts up lots of posters protesting the way we are being observed in London by CCTV. He also has a sticker of the Oyster card marked Voyeur which you can see dotted around in various places. Mike Marcus is another London-based artist I admire. His work is also ‘paste ups’ and is quite controversial. He shows people, mainly naked women wearing gas masks. His work isn’t meant to be seen as sexual – it’s him making a political viewpoint, I think! He also works in Israel and Palestine.

Xylo print near St. Paul’s

LLO: Tell us about your London doors project? What number are you up to now?
MJ: I’m currently up to door number 69. I find doors intriguing because as strangers we are unlikely to know what goes on behind them and, being a nosey person, I find this frustrating so I take a photo instead! I do find the variety of doors interesting. Are they barriers or invitations to congenial welcome? The grand address, of course, has to have a grand door. It usually has an elaborate and unique design. It has also, usually, been made by a craftsman with good quality wood and frequently has a beautiful fanlight too. In contrast some doors are made of plastic, or cheap wood and have a uniform design made to look just like all the neighbours doors. No individually-designed doors for the poor. A person’s class is even reflected in the humble door.

One and a Half

LLO: Best London discovery or most unusual place you’ve visited to take photos?
MJ: That’s easy! It is Trinity Buoy Wharf close to the old East India Dock. It used to be where lightships were fitted out for Trinity Lighthouse Boats. It’s now an artists’ colony. There is a bit of a clue as you walk down the single road to the gates. All the lamp posts have been decorated by artists in a unique way. In the former wharf is a 1940’s American Dining Car which is still used as a cafe. The old workshops are now artists workshops. There’s a sound studio there as well were the owner welcomed me with a lovely cup of tea and told me about the wharf and its inhabitants. There are also some homes which used to be ship containers that have been converted for people to live in. They have little balconies where they park their bicycles.

 Trinity Bouy Wharf

LLO: Show us your favourite London image you’ve captured so far.
MJ: This is almost impossible for me to answer as I have quite a few favourites, but I am pleased with this one. It’s only the Clock Tower of The Houses of Parliament and it’s quite a corny photo, but it’s an unusual shot and it demonstrates my lateral way of thinking and the different view of the world that I seem to have compared to others. It’s not technically very good, but I’ve never been interested in perfection!

Clock tower from the gutter

Thanks Maggie!

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