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For an artistic genre that grew up from a tradition of graffiti and localized artistic defiance, street art in London has come a long way. Within the last decade, and particularly the last few years, the art form has gained both notoriety and legitimization, thanks to artists like the well-known, iconic Banksy and exhibitions like the one at the Tate Modern in the summer of 2008. But has such widespread acceptance watered down the meaning and commitment of London street art at its core? The genre has spawned an entire subculture, and in London there are zines and websites, including popular spots like L.S.D. (London Street-art Design) and invisiblemadevisible.co.uk, which discuss and track developments over time. For tourists visiting the capital, seeking out instances of London street art can offer a fun and free alternative to pricey museum exhibitions, with the added bonus that searching for the pieces can help tourists connect with the city they’re visiting. Having up-to-date information on the state of pieces you’re searching for is critical, as this anecdote from Banksy illustrates; he discusses a famous piece of his which was painted over by another artist: “The last time I hit this spot I painted a crap picture of two men in banana costumes waving hand guns. A few weeks later a writer called Ozone completely dogged it and then wrote 'If it's better next time I'll leave it' in the bottom corner.” As the London street art scene has gained legitimacy and recognition, one questions whether this defiant and rebellious art form can survive as it gains mainstream acceptance. Thus far, the answer from the scene seems to be a resounding “yes,” but in the long run only time will tell. If you’re going to be staying in hotels London offers plenty of choice; why not choose somewhere off the beaten path where you’re likely to see more street art and experience the fun of staying in the capital at the same time? If you hear about a new piece you’d like to check out, for finding last minute hotels London can’t be beat – you’re likely to find a great deal near a new piece, which increases your chances of being able to find new work by the newest artists on the London street art scene – after all, when even Banksy is making over 100,000GBP on a work of art, the temptation for new talent is strong!
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