At first, as graffiti, it was hard to read. Then as spray painting, bombing or tagging or it became hard to love. Without warning and almost instantaneously it gained public acceptance and was relabelled as street art or (shudder) urban art and from then on it’s been hard to avoid.
London is one of the world’s undoubted hotspots for street art, but since the money markets tanked and city boys are no longer lining their halls with street art prints and aerosolled canvases, it’s also proving harder to sell. However, with one clearout of street art losers and poster-boy chancers out of the way, we can definitively say these are the ten best dedicated gallery spaces to discover this genre in the city. It’s still street art, only now mostly indoors and yours to browse and buy.
London is one of the world’s undoubted hotspots for street art, but since the money markets tanked and city boys are no longer lining their halls with street art prints and aerosolled canvases, it’s also proving harder to sell. However, with one clearout of street art losers and poster-boy chancers out of the way, we can definitively say these are the ten best dedicated gallery spaces to discover this genre in the city. It’s still street art, only now mostly indoors and yours to browse and buy.
- Artrepublic
42 New Compton St, WC2H 8DA
With galleries – or rather 'stores' – in London, Brighton and online, artrepublic stands firmly at the commercial end of the street art gallery spectrum. Set over two floors, the London space sells limited edition prints by Eine, Speedy Graphito and Banksy. Read more about Artrepublic - Black Rat Projects
Arch 461, 83 Rivington St, EC2A 3AY
A Brick Lane railway arch turned gallery, Black Rat prides itself on championing the artists it represents. Expect an eclectic and engaging programme of activities. Past projects include launch events for cult street art mag VNA, a huge wall-like installation by Swoon, community workshops by Matt Small and group shows exploring how street artists use paper and printing techniques in their work. Read more about Black Rat Projects - The Brick Lane Gallery
196 Brick Lane, E1 6SA
Brick Lane Gallery has recently expanded and now takes in two sites: the original one on the bustling street art hub of Brick Lane and a new space, the Annexe, in nearby Whitechapel. Both galleries exhibit a mixed bag of new and established international and UK artists. Read more about The Brick Lane Gallery - Lazarides
11 Rathbone Place, W1T 1HR
Best known as the man who brought us Banksy, street art entrepreneur Steve Lazarides has two London galleries, as well as one in Newcastle. Lazarides in Rathbone Place caters for the serious collector, with shows by big names such as Invader and Anthony Micallef, while The Outsiders, in Greek Street is a more laid back affair, specialising in exhibitions by up-and-coming talent and offering limited edition prints, studies and books at wallet friendly prices. Read more about Lazarides - Nelly Duff
156 Columbia Rd, E2 7RG
Even among the exceedingly pretty shop fronts of Columbia Road, Nelly Duff stands out thanks to its colourful 'Day of the Triffids' inspired exterior – a collaboration between Sweet Toof, Mr Wim and the Toaster. One of London's first commercial street art galleries, Nelly Duff continues to show and sell prints by the likes of Eine and Pure Evil, alongside graphic design, illustration and tattoo art. Read more about Nelly Duff