The legal graffiti space underneath the arches of Waterloo station, the Leake Street Tunnel, once again received a makeover today as the street art community turned out in force to pay tribute to one of its own.
Ben Naz, the respected street artist, recently lost a long running battle with cancer having fought against the disease for a number of years. Naz’s motto, was ‘Live Life Without Regrets’ and that is certainly the way he chose to live his life particularly during the last months of his life.
This weekend was a poignant one for the family and friends of the ‘Guerilla’ artist. A funeral and service on Friday was followed by a fundraising event in his name the day after at the Affordably Affordable Art Fair in Shoreditch. Sunday’s Leake Street Paint Jam was an opportunity for friends from the art world to come along and pay their respects in the best way they know how.
It’s not the first time a Paint Jam has been held to support Ben Naz, the F**K You Cancer event in 2013 also saw the street art community come out in force. So for this post I just wanted to concentrate on the art that was created in memory of Ben Naz, the original Guerilla artist.
Ben Naz Leake Street Tribute Gallery
The Leake Street tribute to Ben Naz took place on 16 November 2014 at the Leake Street Tunnel in Waterloo.
For more Inspiring City articles featuring paint jams have a look at:
Ben Naz paint jam in the Leake Street Tunnel 2015
Very sad news that Ben lost his fight with cancer.. I saw his last exhibition at the Graffik Gallery “One Last Ride” in September… It was very sad knowing that Ben was very ill. His work will live on and I hope admired by all. I also hope his artwork on the streets will be left alone.
You’ve captured the activity and hard work so well Stuart. I was there too for a short while. Even though I didn’t know of Ben, I was very moved by the vibes today. Expressing grief is so important in our repressed society. Great that his friends could so like this.
Was great to meet you and an honour to be part of this weekends events from Friday to Sunday – it’s been emotion but full of love for a legend of a man.
Was an honour to know him and to make something in tribute to him.
May he rest in peace now, his legacy will live on.
RIP BEN NAZ
A collage of some of the pieces here: http://www.blipfoto.com/entry/4976928
Forever Grateful!!! Thanks so much!!!!
Reblogged this on thefitzroyflasher and commented:
I wish I was there. RIP Naz – without regrets
Guys, from Australia, what awesome work. Ben Naz lives on in all of us. Thanks for sharing this.