New iCON Street Art and Exhibition

I keep going on about how there’s not much of a street art scene in West London, but for some reason the classic spot under the Westway by Portobello Road / Ladbroke Grove station seems to slip my mind.

Garry from Fitzrovianoir.com sent me these two pieces recently put up in the area by iCON, so I thought I’d share them with you.

Photo: iCON’s Notting Hill Banksy by Fitzrovianoir.com

Photo: iCON’s Statue of Obesity Issues by Fitzrovianoir.com

They are pretty timely, considering he happens to also have a show in the area at Graffik Gallery on Portobello Road. It’s called The New School and includes a series of other artists with an opening night on April 18, running through May 2. I’m hoping to pop in to the opening night, so see you there if you can make it!

By the way, what’s everyone up to for the long Easter weekend?

New iCON Piece in Trinity Buoy Wharf

I went to The Electrician’s Shop in Trinity Buoy Wharf the other day to meet up with Garry Hunter (who wrote the book Street Art: From Around the World, which, coincidently, I got for Christmas) and street artist Paul “DON” Smith. Interview with DON coming this week when I finish transcribing, so stay tuned!

When I left to make my way out back for lunch at the delicious Exmouth Coffee Company before meeting up with some friends at The Bridge in Shoreditch for tea, Garry walked with me to show me a brand new piece of work that was just put up by street artist iCON.

According to Garry, this is a pretty exclusive look as it’s likely not many people have spotted it yet.

This piece is called “Abduction”. Madonna is out shopping with Mowgli on the currently blocked River Lea walkway. Through its placement on hoardings that have blocked access for over five years now, it’s a comment on the privatisation of public space which is a causing a bit of an uproar in the area. This development has ground to a halt.

A bit of background – iCON is from Thamesmead in south east London and has been on the street art scene since 2009.

Photo Scavengers – October

This will be quite a long entry as is it is a result of the Photo Scavenger hunt for October. The main site is here if you want to check it out or join in. Some of these photos have already been posted here, so I will make them smaller.

OCTOBER KEY WORDS:

 

1.   Cosy
Strangers snuggled up under a willow tree in Camden

2.   A stranger
For this one, I did something I never did before and worked up the nerve to approach a stranger for a photo. I got talking to her because she was selling lapis lazuli jewellery from Afghanistan in Camden Market for a man who was away to see his family in Kabul. When I asked her, she was amazingly cooperative, found a cool place to stand. She said, “You know, I’m flattered. I used to be a model you know. Many years ago. I ain’t got the face anymore, but I’ve still got the body.”

3.   An icon of your city
Two for one deal – Big Ben and the London Underground.

4.   Childhood
This little girl was hanging out in Hampstead on Sunday while we were watching the Morris Dancers.

5.   Something red and green
Not the best image as far as photography goes, but instead of red and green foliage photos, I chose this one because I thought the concept was pretty cool to fit the key word (along with the colours, of course).

6.   A pattern or texture
This was taken near St James’s Park.

 

7.   Street art
This is above a garage on Portobello Road.

8.   An image that could be a book cover
For some sort of thriller novel…This is from the edge of the City.

9.   Old
A lively Morris Dancer in Hampstead, taking a break from his performance.

10.   New
New growth, Ravenscourt Park, West London

11.   A shadow or silhouette
A silhouette of branches against the sunset over Parliament Hill, Hampstead Heath in North London.

12.   Language
Bilingual English/Bengali street sign off Brick Lane, East London

13.   Music
Camden Market

14.   Autumn
So many Autumn photos this month, but this is Hampstead Heath.


15.   An animal
Okay, I have some fluffy ones as well, but decided to opt for the bird on a sign. Found this one in St. James’s park one evening. The bird just stood there looking about, not a care in the world.

16.   A place to contemplate life
Hampstead Heath again… what can I say? It’s a good place for photos. And comtemplating life…

17.   Something that begins with the letter O
O is for “orange”, a coloured building that stands out in Covent Garden.

18.   A reflection on water
St. James’s Park

19.   An interesting perspective
D and a lonely tree in Hampstead Heath.

20. A self-portrait
Just me in my room.