Whitecross Street Party Murals from 2023

The Whitecross Street Party returned for 2023 with another weekend of street art, music and non-conformist performance art. The 13th year that the Whitecross Street Party has taken place. It has become a core part of London’s festival and street art scene.

The latest work from EPOD on the corner of Whitecross Street as seen from Old Street. Photo courtesy of Kash Bashir @no_submission_

Art Not War

This time the theme of the event was ‘Art Not War’. It’s simple say the organisers. “We want markers, sprays paints, murals, paste ups and peace”. In a world where conflict is rife the message is no to destroying each other and no to destroying the earth. The Whitecross Street Party therefore in 2023 was very much a party for peace.

Art by Pinky who also designed the poster for the festival. Photo courtesy of Kash Bashir @no_submission_

Street Art

Art has always been a core part of the Whitecross Street Party and the event combines permanent and temporary artworks. All are created during the period of the festival and are meant to really bring public art up close and personal. “Art helps us to imagine the world differently and brings a little joy to life” say the organisers. Many of the pieces then stay up for people to visit over the rest of the year.

The large wall on Garrett Street with works from Zandism (top), TORS (middle) and Ed Hicks (bottom). Mural from Shauna Blanchfield is to the left. Photo courtesy of Kash Bashir @no_submission_

Artists

Combining for the main wall on Garrett Street Ed Hicks, TORS and Zandism created a triptych of very different styles. The Netherlands Karskione and London based artists EPOD and Shauna Blanchfield along with Gorillas by Night created permanent works on walls around the street. Perspicere returned to produce another record breaking and remarkable large scale piece of string art. Painting on boards meanwhile there was Hazard One, Pinky, Reves One and the Girls on Top crew of Pixie, Neonita and Chock along with amongst others.

Completed string art work from Perspicere. The piece was a world record breaking size for a full colour thread piece. In total covering 3m x 3m and using 5000 lines of thread estimated to be 50km in total length. Photo courtesy of Kash Bashir @no_submission_

Shauna Blanchfield at work on her piece on Garrett Street. Photo courtesy of Sean Hampson

The Whitecross Street Party 2022 took place on the weekend of 15 and 16 July 2023. It was the 13th year that the event has taken place. Many thanks for Julia from the Whitecross Street Party with her support for this piece. Thanks also to Kash Bashir @no_submission_, Sean Hampson, Susi Foxy Art, Pixie and Vera for photos used in this piece