Street Art: The City of London’s Artistic Past and Present
We take a look at the public art on display in London's business district...
March 9, 2023
‘Street Art’ is not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of The City, London’s business district; the atmosphere rather evokes blue suits walking down crowded pavements, overflowing inboxes and business lunches. However, The City is also London’s historical centre, filled with beautiful architecture and modern street art. Read on to discover how the business district was and remains a patron of the arts and where to pick up the City’s art trail.
In a past life: the City of Arts
The City of London was and remains its own entity, not quite a borough like other areas in London. It is a local authority, namely The City of London Corporation and, as its own entity, the City played a role in supporting the arts, acquiring and collecting pieces, as well as commissioning artwork. The City's collection grew from an initial commission in 1670 of the Fire Judges (men hired to assess the damages of the 1666 Great Fire of London) and is now 4500 pieces strong. The collection was enriched by individuals with close ties to the City, like wine merchants, businessmen, industrialists and politicians. Further, the names of streets and roads reflect the City’s past role as a marketplace (e.g., Leather Lane, Cloth Court, Dyer’s Buildings - see this fascinating list of names and etymologies) and we can assume many artists and artisans found their supplies in the Corporation’s many markets.
During Victorian times, the Guildhall Gallery was built, to both house the Corporation's growing art collection and to answer an increasing interest in art across society. Like many areas of London, the Gallery was partly destroyed during the Second World War, and over 150 pieces were lost (most of the collection had been moved to underground storage or transported outside London). The gallery was rebuilt on the same site after the war. After some redevelopments in the 1980s, remains of a Roman Amphitheatre were found below the gallery and were incorporated into the space.
Today, the gallery is still a central part of the City's art scene, proposing an art gallery 'in London and about London'. A wide range of art can be seen, from Pre-Raphaelite paintings to works offering a view of the City throughout the ages. At the scale of the UK, the City is the third largest patron of the arts, overseeing the Barbican Centre as well as subsidising various performing arts companies. Within its realm, the City actively supports its artistic community, by moderating artist networks, offering grants and encouraging artists’ use of public space.
Blink and you’ll miss it: street art at every corner
Our first stop in this review of art in The City is Leather Lane market; At eye level, we are surrounded by delicious street food stalls and the classic outdoor market buzz - but it’s well worth looking up.
The stunning mural shows a woman and a girl on a swing. The woman points towards the sky as the girl looks up. The mural, painted by Alice Pasquini, is the fourth in a series of paintings commissioned by UN Women in partnership with ManPowerGroup and Street Art for Mankind to raise awareness for gender equality and to highlight the intergenerational bonds between women. The series, called Generation Equality Murals, is a call to action as well as supplying striking imagery to support UN Women’s work on pay equality, ending violence against women and supporting access to healthcare for women everywhere.
Three murals by other artists and also centred around the same theme, precede Pasquini’s piece, in Mexico, Paris and New-York.
Leaving Leather Lane market, we now make our way to Paternoster square, a quiet square seconds away from St Paul’s Cathedral, where a strange scene is unfolding. Seated around a bronze table, a string of animals seem to be engrossed in deep conversation while sharing a meal.
With The Wild Table of Love, artists Gillie and Marc are sharing a twofold message: first, a celebration of meals as intimate, simple moments that unite all cultures and backgrounds. The second message requires a closer look at the dinner table’s guests: with the two empty seats, the passerby is given the opportunity to sit at a table, surrounded by some of the world’s most endangered animals. This installation begs the question: how can each of us join nature’s family and become a protector of the wild?
Finally making our way to St Paul’s cathedral, we are stopped in our tracks: conspicuous and colourful blocks populate the busy square. The blocks were installed by artists from the University of the Arts London and commissioned by the Mayor of London.
Intended as an invitation to rethink how we engage with spaces we are familiar with, and created to reflect the patterns and texture of their surroundings, these installations are a boost of colour and fantasy. As these unfamiliar shapes force us to see the surrounding space in a new light, the passer-by can be distracted, entranced, surprised - and leaves with a feeling of renewal. The City is vibrant and it is alive.
Street art may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the City, but it is there. During your next lunch break - between Teams notifications and endless spreadsheets - go on a walk. You might just meet the business district’s secret street art identity.
(And, if you decide to go into any of the galleries you find along the way, be sure to collect your Yamos on the gowithYamo app!)
‘Street Art’ is not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of The City, London’s business district; the atmosphere rather evokes blue suits walking down crowded pavements, overflowing inboxes and business lunches. However, The City is also London’s historical centre, filled with beautiful architecture and modern street art. Read on to discover how the business district was and remains a patron of the arts and where to pick up the City’s art trail.
In a past life: the City of Arts
The City of London was and remains its own entity, not quite a borough like other areas in London. It is a local authority, namely The City of London Corporation and, as its own entity, the City played a role in supporting the arts, acquiring and collecting pieces, as well as commissioning artwork. The City's collection grew from an initial commission in 1670 of the Fire Judges (men hired to assess the damages of the 1666 Great Fire of London) and is now 4500 pieces strong. The collection was enriched by individuals with close ties to the City, like wine merchants, businessmen, industrialists and politicians. Further, the names of streets and roads reflect the City’s past role as a marketplace (e.g., Leather Lane, Cloth Court, Dyer’s Buildings - see this fascinating list of names and etymologies) and we can assume many artists and artisans found their supplies in the Corporation’s many markets.
During Victorian times, the Guildhall Gallery was built, to both house the Corporation's growing art collection and to answer an increasing interest in art across society. Like many areas of London, the Gallery was partly destroyed during the Second World War, and over 150 pieces were lost (most of the collection had been moved to underground storage or transported outside London). The gallery was rebuilt on the same site after the war. After some redevelopments in the 1980s, remains of a Roman Amphitheatre were found below the gallery and were incorporated into the space.
Today, the gallery is still a central part of the City's art scene, proposing an art gallery 'in London and about London'. A wide range of art can be seen, from Pre-Raphaelite paintings to works offering a view of the City throughout the ages. At the scale of the UK, the City is the third largest patron of the arts, overseeing the Barbican Centre as well as subsidising various performing arts companies. Within its realm, the City actively supports its artistic community, by moderating artist networks, offering grants and encouraging artists’ use of public space.
Blink and you’ll miss it: street art at every corner
Our first stop in this review of art in The City is Leather Lane market; At eye level, we are surrounded by delicious street food stalls and the classic outdoor market buzz - but it’s well worth looking up.
The stunning mural shows a woman and a girl on a swing. The woman points towards the sky as the girl looks up. The mural, painted by Alice Pasquini, is the fourth in a series of paintings commissioned by UN Women in partnership with ManPowerGroup and Street Art for Mankind to raise awareness for gender equality and to highlight the intergenerational bonds between women. The series, called Generation Equality Murals, is a call to action as well as supplying striking imagery to support UN Women’s work on pay equality, ending violence against women and supporting access to healthcare for women everywhere.
Three murals by other artists and also centred around the same theme, precede Pasquini’s piece, in Mexico, Paris and New-York.
Leaving Leather Lane market, we now make our way to Paternoster square, a quiet square seconds away from St Paul’s Cathedral, where a strange scene is unfolding. Seated around a bronze table, a string of animals seem to be engrossed in deep conversation while sharing a meal.
With The Wild Table of Love, artists Gillie and Marc are sharing a twofold message: first, a celebration of meals as intimate, simple moments that unite all cultures and backgrounds. The second message requires a closer look at the dinner table’s guests: with the two empty seats, the passerby is given the opportunity to sit at a table, surrounded by some of the world’s most endangered animals. This installation begs the question: how can each of us join nature’s family and become a protector of the wild?
Finally making our way to St Paul’s cathedral, we are stopped in our tracks: conspicuous and colourful blocks populate the busy square. The blocks were installed by artists from the University of the Arts London and commissioned by the Mayor of London.
Intended as an invitation to rethink how we engage with spaces we are familiar with, and created to reflect the patterns and texture of their surroundings, these installations are a boost of colour and fantasy. As these unfamiliar shapes force us to see the surrounding space in a new light, the passer-by can be distracted, entranced, surprised - and leaves with a feeling of renewal. The City is vibrant and it is alive.
Street art may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the City, but it is there. During your next lunch break - between Teams notifications and endless spreadsheets - go on a walk. You might just meet the business district’s secret street art identity.
(And, if you decide to go into any of the galleries you find along the way, be sure to collect your Yamos on the gowithYamo app!)
‘Street Art’ is not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of The City, London’s business district; the atmosphere rather evokes blue suits walking down crowded pavements, overflowing inboxes and business lunches. However, The City is also London’s historical centre, filled with beautiful architecture and modern street art. Read on to discover how the business district was and remains a patron of the arts and where to pick up the City’s art trail.
In a past life: the City of Arts
The City of London was and remains its own entity, not quite a borough like other areas in London. It is a local authority, namely The City of London Corporation and, as its own entity, the City played a role in supporting the arts, acquiring and collecting pieces, as well as commissioning artwork. The City's collection grew from an initial commission in 1670 of the Fire Judges (men hired to assess the damages of the 1666 Great Fire of London) and is now 4500 pieces strong. The collection was enriched by individuals with close ties to the City, like wine merchants, businessmen, industrialists and politicians. Further, the names of streets and roads reflect the City’s past role as a marketplace (e.g., Leather Lane, Cloth Court, Dyer’s Buildings - see this fascinating list of names and etymologies) and we can assume many artists and artisans found their supplies in the Corporation’s many markets.
During Victorian times, the Guildhall Gallery was built, to both house the Corporation's growing art collection and to answer an increasing interest in art across society. Like many areas of London, the Gallery was partly destroyed during the Second World War, and over 150 pieces were lost (most of the collection had been moved to underground storage or transported outside London). The gallery was rebuilt on the same site after the war. After some redevelopments in the 1980s, remains of a Roman Amphitheatre were found below the gallery and were incorporated into the space.
Today, the gallery is still a central part of the City's art scene, proposing an art gallery 'in London and about London'. A wide range of art can be seen, from Pre-Raphaelite paintings to works offering a view of the City throughout the ages. At the scale of the UK, the City is the third largest patron of the arts, overseeing the Barbican Centre as well as subsidising various performing arts companies. Within its realm, the City actively supports its artistic community, by moderating artist networks, offering grants and encouraging artists’ use of public space.
Blink and you’ll miss it: street art at every corner
Our first stop in this review of art in The City is Leather Lane market; At eye level, we are surrounded by delicious street food stalls and the classic outdoor market buzz - but it’s well worth looking up.
The stunning mural shows a woman and a girl on a swing. The woman points towards the sky as the girl looks up. The mural, painted by Alice Pasquini, is the fourth in a series of paintings commissioned by UN Women in partnership with ManPowerGroup and Street Art for Mankind to raise awareness for gender equality and to highlight the intergenerational bonds between women. The series, called Generation Equality Murals, is a call to action as well as supplying striking imagery to support UN Women’s work on pay equality, ending violence against women and supporting access to healthcare for women everywhere.
Three murals by other artists and also centred around the same theme, precede Pasquini’s piece, in Mexico, Paris and New-York.
Leaving Leather Lane market, we now make our way to Paternoster square, a quiet square seconds away from St Paul’s Cathedral, where a strange scene is unfolding. Seated around a bronze table, a string of animals seem to be engrossed in deep conversation while sharing a meal.
With The Wild Table of Love, artists Gillie and Marc are sharing a twofold message: first, a celebration of meals as intimate, simple moments that unite all cultures and backgrounds. The second message requires a closer look at the dinner table’s guests: with the two empty seats, the passerby is given the opportunity to sit at a table, surrounded by some of the world’s most endangered animals. This installation begs the question: how can each of us join nature’s family and become a protector of the wild?
Finally making our way to St Paul’s cathedral, we are stopped in our tracks: conspicuous and colourful blocks populate the busy square. The blocks were installed by artists from the University of the Arts London and commissioned by the Mayor of London.
Intended as an invitation to rethink how we engage with spaces we are familiar with, and created to reflect the patterns and texture of their surroundings, these installations are a boost of colour and fantasy. As these unfamiliar shapes force us to see the surrounding space in a new light, the passer-by can be distracted, entranced, surprised - and leaves with a feeling of renewal. The City is vibrant and it is alive.
Street art may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the City, but it is there. During your next lunch break - between Teams notifications and endless spreadsheets - go on a walk. You might just meet the business district’s secret street art identity.
(And, if you decide to go into any of the galleries you find along the way, be sure to collect your Yamos on the gowithYamo app!)
‘Street Art’ is not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of The City, London’s business district; the atmosphere rather evokes blue suits walking down crowded pavements, overflowing inboxes and business lunches. However, The City is also London’s historical centre, filled with beautiful architecture and modern street art. Read on to discover how the business district was and remains a patron of the arts and where to pick up the City’s art trail.
In a past life: the City of Arts
The City of London was and remains its own entity, not quite a borough like other areas in London. It is a local authority, namely The City of London Corporation and, as its own entity, the City played a role in supporting the arts, acquiring and collecting pieces, as well as commissioning artwork. The City's collection grew from an initial commission in 1670 of the Fire Judges (men hired to assess the damages of the 1666 Great Fire of London) and is now 4500 pieces strong. The collection was enriched by individuals with close ties to the City, like wine merchants, businessmen, industrialists and politicians. Further, the names of streets and roads reflect the City’s past role as a marketplace (e.g., Leather Lane, Cloth Court, Dyer’s Buildings - see this fascinating list of names and etymologies) and we can assume many artists and artisans found their supplies in the Corporation’s many markets.
During Victorian times, the Guildhall Gallery was built, to both house the Corporation's growing art collection and to answer an increasing interest in art across society. Like many areas of London, the Gallery was partly destroyed during the Second World War, and over 150 pieces were lost (most of the collection had been moved to underground storage or transported outside London). The gallery was rebuilt on the same site after the war. After some redevelopments in the 1980s, remains of a Roman Amphitheatre were found below the gallery and were incorporated into the space.
Today, the gallery is still a central part of the City's art scene, proposing an art gallery 'in London and about London'. A wide range of art can be seen, from Pre-Raphaelite paintings to works offering a view of the City throughout the ages. At the scale of the UK, the City is the third largest patron of the arts, overseeing the Barbican Centre as well as subsidising various performing arts companies. Within its realm, the City actively supports its artistic community, by moderating artist networks, offering grants and encouraging artists’ use of public space.
Blink and you’ll miss it: street art at every corner
Our first stop in this review of art in The City is Leather Lane market; At eye level, we are surrounded by delicious street food stalls and the classic outdoor market buzz - but it’s well worth looking up.
The stunning mural shows a woman and a girl on a swing. The woman points towards the sky as the girl looks up. The mural, painted by Alice Pasquini, is the fourth in a series of paintings commissioned by UN Women in partnership with ManPowerGroup and Street Art for Mankind to raise awareness for gender equality and to highlight the intergenerational bonds between women. The series, called Generation Equality Murals, is a call to action as well as supplying striking imagery to support UN Women’s work on pay equality, ending violence against women and supporting access to healthcare for women everywhere.
Three murals by other artists and also centred around the same theme, precede Pasquini’s piece, in Mexico, Paris and New-York.
Leaving Leather Lane market, we now make our way to Paternoster square, a quiet square seconds away from St Paul’s Cathedral, where a strange scene is unfolding. Seated around a bronze table, a string of animals seem to be engrossed in deep conversation while sharing a meal.
With The Wild Table of Love, artists Gillie and Marc are sharing a twofold message: first, a celebration of meals as intimate, simple moments that unite all cultures and backgrounds. The second message requires a closer look at the dinner table’s guests: with the two empty seats, the passerby is given the opportunity to sit at a table, surrounded by some of the world’s most endangered animals. This installation begs the question: how can each of us join nature’s family and become a protector of the wild?
Finally making our way to St Paul’s cathedral, we are stopped in our tracks: conspicuous and colourful blocks populate the busy square. The blocks were installed by artists from the University of the Arts London and commissioned by the Mayor of London.
Intended as an invitation to rethink how we engage with spaces we are familiar with, and created to reflect the patterns and texture of their surroundings, these installations are a boost of colour and fantasy. As these unfamiliar shapes force us to see the surrounding space in a new light, the passer-by can be distracted, entranced, surprised - and leaves with a feeling of renewal. The City is vibrant and it is alive.
Street art may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the City, but it is there. During your next lunch break - between Teams notifications and endless spreadsheets - go on a walk. You might just meet the business district’s secret street art identity.
(And, if you decide to go into any of the galleries you find along the way, be sure to collect your Yamos on the gowithYamo app!)
‘Street Art’ is not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of The City, London’s business district; the atmosphere rather evokes blue suits walking down crowded pavements, overflowing inboxes and business lunches. However, The City is also London’s historical centre, filled with beautiful architecture and modern street art. Read on to discover how the business district was and remains a patron of the arts and where to pick up the City’s art trail.
In a past life: the City of Arts
The City of London was and remains its own entity, not quite a borough like other areas in London. It is a local authority, namely The City of London Corporation and, as its own entity, the City played a role in supporting the arts, acquiring and collecting pieces, as well as commissioning artwork. The City's collection grew from an initial commission in 1670 of the Fire Judges (men hired to assess the damages of the 1666 Great Fire of London) and is now 4500 pieces strong. The collection was enriched by individuals with close ties to the City, like wine merchants, businessmen, industrialists and politicians. Further, the names of streets and roads reflect the City’s past role as a marketplace (e.g., Leather Lane, Cloth Court, Dyer’s Buildings - see this fascinating list of names and etymologies) and we can assume many artists and artisans found their supplies in the Corporation’s many markets.
During Victorian times, the Guildhall Gallery was built, to both house the Corporation's growing art collection and to answer an increasing interest in art across society. Like many areas of London, the Gallery was partly destroyed during the Second World War, and over 150 pieces were lost (most of the collection had been moved to underground storage or transported outside London). The gallery was rebuilt on the same site after the war. After some redevelopments in the 1980s, remains of a Roman Amphitheatre were found below the gallery and were incorporated into the space.
Today, the gallery is still a central part of the City's art scene, proposing an art gallery 'in London and about London'. A wide range of art can be seen, from Pre-Raphaelite paintings to works offering a view of the City throughout the ages. At the scale of the UK, the City is the third largest patron of the arts, overseeing the Barbican Centre as well as subsidising various performing arts companies. Within its realm, the City actively supports its artistic community, by moderating artist networks, offering grants and encouraging artists’ use of public space.
Blink and you’ll miss it: street art at every corner
Our first stop in this review of art in The City is Leather Lane market; At eye level, we are surrounded by delicious street food stalls and the classic outdoor market buzz - but it’s well worth looking up.
The stunning mural shows a woman and a girl on a swing. The woman points towards the sky as the girl looks up. The mural, painted by Alice Pasquini, is the fourth in a series of paintings commissioned by UN Women in partnership with ManPowerGroup and Street Art for Mankind to raise awareness for gender equality and to highlight the intergenerational bonds between women. The series, called Generation Equality Murals, is a call to action as well as supplying striking imagery to support UN Women’s work on pay equality, ending violence against women and supporting access to healthcare for women everywhere.
Three murals by other artists and also centred around the same theme, precede Pasquini’s piece, in Mexico, Paris and New-York.
Leaving Leather Lane market, we now make our way to Paternoster square, a quiet square seconds away from St Paul’s Cathedral, where a strange scene is unfolding. Seated around a bronze table, a string of animals seem to be engrossed in deep conversation while sharing a meal.
With The Wild Table of Love, artists Gillie and Marc are sharing a twofold message: first, a celebration of meals as intimate, simple moments that unite all cultures and backgrounds. The second message requires a closer look at the dinner table’s guests: with the two empty seats, the passerby is given the opportunity to sit at a table, surrounded by some of the world’s most endangered animals. This installation begs the question: how can each of us join nature’s family and become a protector of the wild?
Finally making our way to St Paul’s cathedral, we are stopped in our tracks: conspicuous and colourful blocks populate the busy square. The blocks were installed by artists from the University of the Arts London and commissioned by the Mayor of London.
Intended as an invitation to rethink how we engage with spaces we are familiar with, and created to reflect the patterns and texture of their surroundings, these installations are a boost of colour and fantasy. As these unfamiliar shapes force us to see the surrounding space in a new light, the passer-by can be distracted, entranced, surprised - and leaves with a feeling of renewal. The City is vibrant and it is alive.
Street art may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the City, but it is there. During your next lunch break - between Teams notifications and endless spreadsheets - go on a walk. You might just meet the business district’s secret street art identity.
(And, if you decide to go into any of the galleries you find along the way, be sure to collect your Yamos on the gowithYamo app!)
‘Street Art’ is not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of The City, London’s business district; the atmosphere rather evokes blue suits walking down crowded pavements, overflowing inboxes and business lunches. However, The City is also London’s historical centre, filled with beautiful architecture and modern street art. Read on to discover how the business district was and remains a patron of the arts and where to pick up the City’s art trail.
In a past life: the City of Arts
The City of London was and remains its own entity, not quite a borough like other areas in London. It is a local authority, namely The City of London Corporation and, as its own entity, the City played a role in supporting the arts, acquiring and collecting pieces, as well as commissioning artwork. The City's collection grew from an initial commission in 1670 of the Fire Judges (men hired to assess the damages of the 1666 Great Fire of London) and is now 4500 pieces strong. The collection was enriched by individuals with close ties to the City, like wine merchants, businessmen, industrialists and politicians. Further, the names of streets and roads reflect the City’s past role as a marketplace (e.g., Leather Lane, Cloth Court, Dyer’s Buildings - see this fascinating list of names and etymologies) and we can assume many artists and artisans found their supplies in the Corporation’s many markets.
During Victorian times, the Guildhall Gallery was built, to both house the Corporation's growing art collection and to answer an increasing interest in art across society. Like many areas of London, the Gallery was partly destroyed during the Second World War, and over 150 pieces were lost (most of the collection had been moved to underground storage or transported outside London). The gallery was rebuilt on the same site after the war. After some redevelopments in the 1980s, remains of a Roman Amphitheatre were found below the gallery and were incorporated into the space.
Today, the gallery is still a central part of the City's art scene, proposing an art gallery 'in London and about London'. A wide range of art can be seen, from Pre-Raphaelite paintings to works offering a view of the City throughout the ages. At the scale of the UK, the City is the third largest patron of the arts, overseeing the Barbican Centre as well as subsidising various performing arts companies. Within its realm, the City actively supports its artistic community, by moderating artist networks, offering grants and encouraging artists’ use of public space.
Blink and you’ll miss it: street art at every corner
Our first stop in this review of art in The City is Leather Lane market; At eye level, we are surrounded by delicious street food stalls and the classic outdoor market buzz - but it’s well worth looking up.
The stunning mural shows a woman and a girl on a swing. The woman points towards the sky as the girl looks up. The mural, painted by Alice Pasquini, is the fourth in a series of paintings commissioned by UN Women in partnership with ManPowerGroup and Street Art for Mankind to raise awareness for gender equality and to highlight the intergenerational bonds between women. The series, called Generation Equality Murals, is a call to action as well as supplying striking imagery to support UN Women’s work on pay equality, ending violence against women and supporting access to healthcare for women everywhere.
Three murals by other artists and also centred around the same theme, precede Pasquini’s piece, in Mexico, Paris and New-York.
Leaving Leather Lane market, we now make our way to Paternoster square, a quiet square seconds away from St Paul’s Cathedral, where a strange scene is unfolding. Seated around a bronze table, a string of animals seem to be engrossed in deep conversation while sharing a meal.
With The Wild Table of Love, artists Gillie and Marc are sharing a twofold message: first, a celebration of meals as intimate, simple moments that unite all cultures and backgrounds. The second message requires a closer look at the dinner table’s guests: with the two empty seats, the passerby is given the opportunity to sit at a table, surrounded by some of the world’s most endangered animals. This installation begs the question: how can each of us join nature’s family and become a protector of the wild?
Finally making our way to St Paul’s cathedral, we are stopped in our tracks: conspicuous and colourful blocks populate the busy square. The blocks were installed by artists from the University of the Arts London and commissioned by the Mayor of London.
Intended as an invitation to rethink how we engage with spaces we are familiar with, and created to reflect the patterns and texture of their surroundings, these installations are a boost of colour and fantasy. As these unfamiliar shapes force us to see the surrounding space in a new light, the passer-by can be distracted, entranced, surprised - and leaves with a feeling of renewal. The City is vibrant and it is alive.
Street art may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the City, but it is there. During your next lunch break - between Teams notifications and endless spreadsheets - go on a walk. You might just meet the business district’s secret street art identity.
(And, if you decide to go into any of the galleries you find along the way, be sure to collect your Yamos on the gowithYamo app!)
‘Street Art’ is not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of The City, London’s business district; the atmosphere rather evokes blue suits walking down crowded pavements, overflowing inboxes and business lunches. However, The City is also London’s historical centre, filled with beautiful architecture and modern street art. Read on to discover how the business district was and remains a patron of the arts and where to pick up the City’s art trail.
In a past life: the City of Arts
The City of London was and remains its own entity, not quite a borough like other areas in London. It is a local authority, namely The City of London Corporation and, as its own entity, the City played a role in supporting the arts, acquiring and collecting pieces, as well as commissioning artwork. The City's collection grew from an initial commission in 1670 of the Fire Judges (men hired to assess the damages of the 1666 Great Fire of London) and is now 4500 pieces strong. The collection was enriched by individuals with close ties to the City, like wine merchants, businessmen, industrialists and politicians. Further, the names of streets and roads reflect the City’s past role as a marketplace (e.g., Leather Lane, Cloth Court, Dyer’s Buildings - see this fascinating list of names and etymologies) and we can assume many artists and artisans found their supplies in the Corporation’s many markets.
During Victorian times, the Guildhall Gallery was built, to both house the Corporation's growing art collection and to answer an increasing interest in art across society. Like many areas of London, the Gallery was partly destroyed during the Second World War, and over 150 pieces were lost (most of the collection had been moved to underground storage or transported outside London). The gallery was rebuilt on the same site after the war. After some redevelopments in the 1980s, remains of a Roman Amphitheatre were found below the gallery and were incorporated into the space.
Today, the gallery is still a central part of the City's art scene, proposing an art gallery 'in London and about London'. A wide range of art can be seen, from Pre-Raphaelite paintings to works offering a view of the City throughout the ages. At the scale of the UK, the City is the third largest patron of the arts, overseeing the Barbican Centre as well as subsidising various performing arts companies. Within its realm, the City actively supports its artistic community, by moderating artist networks, offering grants and encouraging artists’ use of public space.
Blink and you’ll miss it: street art at every corner
Our first stop in this review of art in The City is Leather Lane market; At eye level, we are surrounded by delicious street food stalls and the classic outdoor market buzz - but it’s well worth looking up.
The stunning mural shows a woman and a girl on a swing. The woman points towards the sky as the girl looks up. The mural, painted by Alice Pasquini, is the fourth in a series of paintings commissioned by UN Women in partnership with ManPowerGroup and Street Art for Mankind to raise awareness for gender equality and to highlight the intergenerational bonds between women. The series, called Generation Equality Murals, is a call to action as well as supplying striking imagery to support UN Women’s work on pay equality, ending violence against women and supporting access to healthcare for women everywhere.
Three murals by other artists and also centred around the same theme, precede Pasquini’s piece, in Mexico, Paris and New-York.
Leaving Leather Lane market, we now make our way to Paternoster square, a quiet square seconds away from St Paul’s Cathedral, where a strange scene is unfolding. Seated around a bronze table, a string of animals seem to be engrossed in deep conversation while sharing a meal.
With The Wild Table of Love, artists Gillie and Marc are sharing a twofold message: first, a celebration of meals as intimate, simple moments that unite all cultures and backgrounds. The second message requires a closer look at the dinner table’s guests: with the two empty seats, the passerby is given the opportunity to sit at a table, surrounded by some of the world’s most endangered animals. This installation begs the question: how can each of us join nature’s family and become a protector of the wild?
Finally making our way to St Paul’s cathedral, we are stopped in our tracks: conspicuous and colourful blocks populate the busy square. The blocks were installed by artists from the University of the Arts London and commissioned by the Mayor of London.
Intended as an invitation to rethink how we engage with spaces we are familiar with, and created to reflect the patterns and texture of their surroundings, these installations are a boost of colour and fantasy. As these unfamiliar shapes force us to see the surrounding space in a new light, the passer-by can be distracted, entranced, surprised - and leaves with a feeling of renewal. The City is vibrant and it is alive.
Street art may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the City, but it is there. During your next lunch break - between Teams notifications and endless spreadsheets - go on a walk. You might just meet the business district’s secret street art identity.
(And, if you decide to go into any of the galleries you find along the way, be sure to collect your Yamos on the gowithYamo app!)
‘Street Art’ is not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of The City, London’s business district; the atmosphere rather evokes blue suits walking down crowded pavements, overflowing inboxes and business lunches. However, The City is also London’s historical centre, filled with beautiful architecture and modern street art. Read on to discover how the business district was and remains a patron of the arts and where to pick up the City’s art trail.
In a past life: the City of Arts
The City of London was and remains its own entity, not quite a borough like other areas in London. It is a local authority, namely The City of London Corporation and, as its own entity, the City played a role in supporting the arts, acquiring and collecting pieces, as well as commissioning artwork. The City's collection grew from an initial commission in 1670 of the Fire Judges (men hired to assess the damages of the 1666 Great Fire of London) and is now 4500 pieces strong. The collection was enriched by individuals with close ties to the City, like wine merchants, businessmen, industrialists and politicians. Further, the names of streets and roads reflect the City’s past role as a marketplace (e.g., Leather Lane, Cloth Court, Dyer’s Buildings - see this fascinating list of names and etymologies) and we can assume many artists and artisans found their supplies in the Corporation’s many markets.
During Victorian times, the Guildhall Gallery was built, to both house the Corporation's growing art collection and to answer an increasing interest in art across society. Like many areas of London, the Gallery was partly destroyed during the Second World War, and over 150 pieces were lost (most of the collection had been moved to underground storage or transported outside London). The gallery was rebuilt on the same site after the war. After some redevelopments in the 1980s, remains of a Roman Amphitheatre were found below the gallery and were incorporated into the space.
Today, the gallery is still a central part of the City's art scene, proposing an art gallery 'in London and about London'. A wide range of art can be seen, from Pre-Raphaelite paintings to works offering a view of the City throughout the ages. At the scale of the UK, the City is the third largest patron of the arts, overseeing the Barbican Centre as well as subsidising various performing arts companies. Within its realm, the City actively supports its artistic community, by moderating artist networks, offering grants and encouraging artists’ use of public space.
Blink and you’ll miss it: street art at every corner
Our first stop in this review of art in The City is Leather Lane market; At eye level, we are surrounded by delicious street food stalls and the classic outdoor market buzz - but it’s well worth looking up.
The stunning mural shows a woman and a girl on a swing. The woman points towards the sky as the girl looks up. The mural, painted by Alice Pasquini, is the fourth in a series of paintings commissioned by UN Women in partnership with ManPowerGroup and Street Art for Mankind to raise awareness for gender equality and to highlight the intergenerational bonds between women. The series, called Generation Equality Murals, is a call to action as well as supplying striking imagery to support UN Women’s work on pay equality, ending violence against women and supporting access to healthcare for women everywhere.
Three murals by other artists and also centred around the same theme, precede Pasquini’s piece, in Mexico, Paris and New-York.
Leaving Leather Lane market, we now make our way to Paternoster square, a quiet square seconds away from St Paul’s Cathedral, where a strange scene is unfolding. Seated around a bronze table, a string of animals seem to be engrossed in deep conversation while sharing a meal.
With The Wild Table of Love, artists Gillie and Marc are sharing a twofold message: first, a celebration of meals as intimate, simple moments that unite all cultures and backgrounds. The second message requires a closer look at the dinner table’s guests: with the two empty seats, the passerby is given the opportunity to sit at a table, surrounded by some of the world’s most endangered animals. This installation begs the question: how can each of us join nature’s family and become a protector of the wild?
Finally making our way to St Paul’s cathedral, we are stopped in our tracks: conspicuous and colourful blocks populate the busy square. The blocks were installed by artists from the University of the Arts London and commissioned by the Mayor of London.
Intended as an invitation to rethink how we engage with spaces we are familiar with, and created to reflect the patterns and texture of their surroundings, these installations are a boost of colour and fantasy. As these unfamiliar shapes force us to see the surrounding space in a new light, the passer-by can be distracted, entranced, surprised - and leaves with a feeling of renewal. The City is vibrant and it is alive.
Street art may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the City, but it is there. During your next lunch break - between Teams notifications and endless spreadsheets - go on a walk. You might just meet the business district’s secret street art identity.
(And, if you decide to go into any of the galleries you find along the way, be sure to collect your Yamos on the gowithYamo app!)
‘Street Art’ is not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of The City, London’s business district; the atmosphere rather evokes blue suits walking down crowded pavements, overflowing inboxes and business lunches. However, The City is also London’s historical centre, filled with beautiful architecture and modern street art. Read on to discover how the business district was and remains a patron of the arts and where to pick up the City’s art trail.
In a past life: the City of Arts
The City of London was and remains its own entity, not quite a borough like other areas in London. It is a local authority, namely The City of London Corporation and, as its own entity, the City played a role in supporting the arts, acquiring and collecting pieces, as well as commissioning artwork. The City's collection grew from an initial commission in 1670 of the Fire Judges (men hired to assess the damages of the 1666 Great Fire of London) and is now 4500 pieces strong. The collection was enriched by individuals with close ties to the City, like wine merchants, businessmen, industrialists and politicians. Further, the names of streets and roads reflect the City’s past role as a marketplace (e.g., Leather Lane, Cloth Court, Dyer’s Buildings - see this fascinating list of names and etymologies) and we can assume many artists and artisans found their supplies in the Corporation’s many markets.
During Victorian times, the Guildhall Gallery was built, to both house the Corporation's growing art collection and to answer an increasing interest in art across society. Like many areas of London, the Gallery was partly destroyed during the Second World War, and over 150 pieces were lost (most of the collection had been moved to underground storage or transported outside London). The gallery was rebuilt on the same site after the war. After some redevelopments in the 1980s, remains of a Roman Amphitheatre were found below the gallery and were incorporated into the space.
Today, the gallery is still a central part of the City's art scene, proposing an art gallery 'in London and about London'. A wide range of art can be seen, from Pre-Raphaelite paintings to works offering a view of the City throughout the ages. At the scale of the UK, the City is the third largest patron of the arts, overseeing the Barbican Centre as well as subsidising various performing arts companies. Within its realm, the City actively supports its artistic community, by moderating artist networks, offering grants and encouraging artists’ use of public space.
Blink and you’ll miss it: street art at every corner
Our first stop in this review of art in The City is Leather Lane market; At eye level, we are surrounded by delicious street food stalls and the classic outdoor market buzz - but it’s well worth looking up.
The stunning mural shows a woman and a girl on a swing. The woman points towards the sky as the girl looks up. The mural, painted by Alice Pasquini, is the fourth in a series of paintings commissioned by UN Women in partnership with ManPowerGroup and Street Art for Mankind to raise awareness for gender equality and to highlight the intergenerational bonds between women. The series, called Generation Equality Murals, is a call to action as well as supplying striking imagery to support UN Women’s work on pay equality, ending violence against women and supporting access to healthcare for women everywhere.
Three murals by other artists and also centred around the same theme, precede Pasquini’s piece, in Mexico, Paris and New-York.
Leaving Leather Lane market, we now make our way to Paternoster square, a quiet square seconds away from St Paul’s Cathedral, where a strange scene is unfolding. Seated around a bronze table, a string of animals seem to be engrossed in deep conversation while sharing a meal.
With The Wild Table of Love, artists Gillie and Marc are sharing a twofold message: first, a celebration of meals as intimate, simple moments that unite all cultures and backgrounds. The second message requires a closer look at the dinner table’s guests: with the two empty seats, the passerby is given the opportunity to sit at a table, surrounded by some of the world’s most endangered animals. This installation begs the question: how can each of us join nature’s family and become a protector of the wild?
Finally making our way to St Paul’s cathedral, we are stopped in our tracks: conspicuous and colourful blocks populate the busy square. The blocks were installed by artists from the University of the Arts London and commissioned by the Mayor of London.
Intended as an invitation to rethink how we engage with spaces we are familiar with, and created to reflect the patterns and texture of their surroundings, these installations are a boost of colour and fantasy. As these unfamiliar shapes force us to see the surrounding space in a new light, the passer-by can be distracted, entranced, surprised - and leaves with a feeling of renewal. The City is vibrant and it is alive.
Street art may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the City, but it is there. During your next lunch break - between Teams notifications and endless spreadsheets - go on a walk. You might just meet the business district’s secret street art identity.
(And, if you decide to go into any of the galleries you find along the way, be sure to collect your Yamos on the gowithYamo app!)
‘Street Art’ is not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of The City, London’s business district; the atmosphere rather evokes blue suits walking down crowded pavements, overflowing inboxes and business lunches. However, The City is also London’s historical centre, filled with beautiful architecture and modern street art. Read on to discover how the business district was and remains a patron of the arts and where to pick up the City’s art trail.
In a past life: the City of Arts
The City of London was and remains its own entity, not quite a borough like other areas in London. It is a local authority, namely The City of London Corporation and, as its own entity, the City played a role in supporting the arts, acquiring and collecting pieces, as well as commissioning artwork. The City's collection grew from an initial commission in 1670 of the Fire Judges (men hired to assess the damages of the 1666 Great Fire of London) and is now 4500 pieces strong. The collection was enriched by individuals with close ties to the City, like wine merchants, businessmen, industrialists and politicians. Further, the names of streets and roads reflect the City’s past role as a marketplace (e.g., Leather Lane, Cloth Court, Dyer’s Buildings - see this fascinating list of names and etymologies) and we can assume many artists and artisans found their supplies in the Corporation’s many markets.
During Victorian times, the Guildhall Gallery was built, to both house the Corporation's growing art collection and to answer an increasing interest in art across society. Like many areas of London, the Gallery was partly destroyed during the Second World War, and over 150 pieces were lost (most of the collection had been moved to underground storage or transported outside London). The gallery was rebuilt on the same site after the war. After some redevelopments in the 1980s, remains of a Roman Amphitheatre were found below the gallery and were incorporated into the space.
Today, the gallery is still a central part of the City's art scene, proposing an art gallery 'in London and about London'. A wide range of art can be seen, from Pre-Raphaelite paintings to works offering a view of the City throughout the ages. At the scale of the UK, the City is the third largest patron of the arts, overseeing the Barbican Centre as well as subsidising various performing arts companies. Within its realm, the City actively supports its artistic community, by moderating artist networks, offering grants and encouraging artists’ use of public space.
Blink and you’ll miss it: street art at every corner
Our first stop in this review of art in The City is Leather Lane market; At eye level, we are surrounded by delicious street food stalls and the classic outdoor market buzz - but it’s well worth looking up.
The stunning mural shows a woman and a girl on a swing. The woman points towards the sky as the girl looks up. The mural, painted by Alice Pasquini, is the fourth in a series of paintings commissioned by UN Women in partnership with ManPowerGroup and Street Art for Mankind to raise awareness for gender equality and to highlight the intergenerational bonds between women. The series, called Generation Equality Murals, is a call to action as well as supplying striking imagery to support UN Women’s work on pay equality, ending violence against women and supporting access to healthcare for women everywhere.
Three murals by other artists and also centred around the same theme, precede Pasquini’s piece, in Mexico, Paris and New-York.
Leaving Leather Lane market, we now make our way to Paternoster square, a quiet square seconds away from St Paul’s Cathedral, where a strange scene is unfolding. Seated around a bronze table, a string of animals seem to be engrossed in deep conversation while sharing a meal.
With The Wild Table of Love, artists Gillie and Marc are sharing a twofold message: first, a celebration of meals as intimate, simple moments that unite all cultures and backgrounds. The second message requires a closer look at the dinner table’s guests: with the two empty seats, the passerby is given the opportunity to sit at a table, surrounded by some of the world’s most endangered animals. This installation begs the question: how can each of us join nature’s family and become a protector of the wild?
Finally making our way to St Paul’s cathedral, we are stopped in our tracks: conspicuous and colourful blocks populate the busy square. The blocks were installed by artists from the University of the Arts London and commissioned by the Mayor of London.
Intended as an invitation to rethink how we engage with spaces we are familiar with, and created to reflect the patterns and texture of their surroundings, these installations are a boost of colour and fantasy. As these unfamiliar shapes force us to see the surrounding space in a new light, the passer-by can be distracted, entranced, surprised - and leaves with a feeling of renewal. The City is vibrant and it is alive.
Street art may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the City, but it is there. During your next lunch break - between Teams notifications and endless spreadsheets - go on a walk. You might just meet the business district’s secret street art identity.
(And, if you decide to go into any of the galleries you find along the way, be sure to collect your Yamos on the gowithYamo app!)
‘Street Art’ is not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of The City, London’s business district; the atmosphere rather evokes blue suits walking down crowded pavements, overflowing inboxes and business lunches. However, The City is also London’s historical centre, filled with beautiful architecture and modern street art. Read on to discover how the business district was and remains a patron of the arts and where to pick up the City’s art trail.
In a past life: the City of Arts
The City of London was and remains its own entity, not quite a borough like other areas in London. It is a local authority, namely The City of London Corporation and, as its own entity, the City played a role in supporting the arts, acquiring and collecting pieces, as well as commissioning artwork. The City's collection grew from an initial commission in 1670 of the Fire Judges (men hired to assess the damages of the 1666 Great Fire of London) and is now 4500 pieces strong. The collection was enriched by individuals with close ties to the City, like wine merchants, businessmen, industrialists and politicians. Further, the names of streets and roads reflect the City’s past role as a marketplace (e.g., Leather Lane, Cloth Court, Dyer’s Buildings - see this fascinating list of names and etymologies) and we can assume many artists and artisans found their supplies in the Corporation’s many markets.
During Victorian times, the Guildhall Gallery was built, to both house the Corporation's growing art collection and to answer an increasing interest in art across society. Like many areas of London, the Gallery was partly destroyed during the Second World War, and over 150 pieces were lost (most of the collection had been moved to underground storage or transported outside London). The gallery was rebuilt on the same site after the war. After some redevelopments in the 1980s, remains of a Roman Amphitheatre were found below the gallery and were incorporated into the space.
Today, the gallery is still a central part of the City's art scene, proposing an art gallery 'in London and about London'. A wide range of art can be seen, from Pre-Raphaelite paintings to works offering a view of the City throughout the ages. At the scale of the UK, the City is the third largest patron of the arts, overseeing the Barbican Centre as well as subsidising various performing arts companies. Within its realm, the City actively supports its artistic community, by moderating artist networks, offering grants and encouraging artists’ use of public space.
Blink and you’ll miss it: street art at every corner
Our first stop in this review of art in The City is Leather Lane market; At eye level, we are surrounded by delicious street food stalls and the classic outdoor market buzz - but it’s well worth looking up.
The stunning mural shows a woman and a girl on a swing. The woman points towards the sky as the girl looks up. The mural, painted by Alice Pasquini, is the fourth in a series of paintings commissioned by UN Women in partnership with ManPowerGroup and Street Art for Mankind to raise awareness for gender equality and to highlight the intergenerational bonds between women. The series, called Generation Equality Murals, is a call to action as well as supplying striking imagery to support UN Women’s work on pay equality, ending violence against women and supporting access to healthcare for women everywhere.
Three murals by other artists and also centred around the same theme, precede Pasquini’s piece, in Mexico, Paris and New-York.
Leaving Leather Lane market, we now make our way to Paternoster square, a quiet square seconds away from St Paul’s Cathedral, where a strange scene is unfolding. Seated around a bronze table, a string of animals seem to be engrossed in deep conversation while sharing a meal.
With The Wild Table of Love, artists Gillie and Marc are sharing a twofold message: first, a celebration of meals as intimate, simple moments that unite all cultures and backgrounds. The second message requires a closer look at the dinner table’s guests: with the two empty seats, the passerby is given the opportunity to sit at a table, surrounded by some of the world’s most endangered animals. This installation begs the question: how can each of us join nature’s family and become a protector of the wild?
Finally making our way to St Paul’s cathedral, we are stopped in our tracks: conspicuous and colourful blocks populate the busy square. The blocks were installed by artists from the University of the Arts London and commissioned by the Mayor of London.
Intended as an invitation to rethink how we engage with spaces we are familiar with, and created to reflect the patterns and texture of their surroundings, these installations are a boost of colour and fantasy. As these unfamiliar shapes force us to see the surrounding space in a new light, the passer-by can be distracted, entranced, surprised - and leaves with a feeling of renewal. The City is vibrant and it is alive.
Street art may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the City, but it is there. During your next lunch break - between Teams notifications and endless spreadsheets - go on a walk. You might just meet the business district’s secret street art identity.
(And, if you decide to go into any of the galleries you find along the way, be sure to collect your Yamos on the gowithYamo app!)
