Following Banksy’s latest record-breaking auction result last month at Christie’s, it is clear that the art world’s appetite for graffiti and street art is at an all-time high. Although the medium was once confined to dilapidated buildings and subway carriages, graffiti inspired works can now be found in galleries, museums and collectors’ homes. From die-hard graffiti fans looking for authentic murals to urban art fanatics wanting to invigorate their interior with a colourful canvas, we look at the artworks bringing street art, inside.
BANKSY, GIRL WITH BALLOON (UNSIGNED), 2004
Banksy, Girl With Balloon, 2004
Striking, poignant, revered; Girl With Balloon was originally created by Banksy for a mural that appeared under Waterloo Bridge in London in 2002. Becoming a universal symbol of hope and synonymous with British street art as a whole, Banksy’s design is iconic. Part of a limited edition print release from 2004, Girl With Balloon has become both a timeless symbol for the rise of street art and one of the most globally sought-after prints of all time.
Richard Hambleton, Untitled, 2014
Known as the ‘Godfather of Street Art,’ Richard Hambleton rose to recognition in New York in the early 1980s. Renowned for painting his mysterious, black-silhouetted figures called ‘Shadowmen’, for many, Hambleton’s artwork represents the origin of street art. His acrylic on canvas works capture the incredibly rich history of the genre, whilst retaining the visual urgency of the artist’s early works, making his canvases the perfect way to bring street art inside.
RICHARD HAMBLETON, UNTITLED, 2014
Lefty Out There, Sine Nomine, 2019
Rendered in acrylic on wood, Sine Nomine is an archetypal work by emerging street artist, Lefty Out There. Defined by his unique approach to mark-making, the Chicagoan creative has an aim to cover the world with his art, adorning the streets of the globe with his distinctive patterns. With a pared back palette and a striking design, Sine Nomine embodies all the dynamism of graffiti whilst embracing the beautiful simplicity of contemporary art, meaning the art is fitting for both street art and traditional art lovers alike.
LEFTY OUT THERE, SINE NOMINE, 2019
STIK, Grille - Yellow, 2011
For graffiti enthusiasts on the hunt for artwork a little more authentic to the genre, why not consider STIK’s Grille -Yellow? Spray painted on a yellow metal grating, the piece is typical of the anonymous artist’s work and proves, in true street art spirit, that any medium can be a canvas. Featuring STIK’s signature design of a genderless stick person made up of four lines, two circles and two dots, Grille -Yellow is a rare opportunity to capture the authenticity and spontaneity of street art outside of the public realm.
Bradley Theodore, Karl & Anna, 2018
New York, Tokyo and Milan are just a few of the cities Theodore has adorned with his Dia de los Muertos style murals. The creative first launched his career as a street artist, before turning to the contemporary art world to further hone his craft. Theodore’s graffiti roots are evident in his work with his use of vivid colour and his dynamic brushstrokes. Taking his street art style and applying it to a wide range of subjects, from fashion to history, Theodore’s work assimilates high culture with graffiti.
BRADLEY THEODORE, KARL & ANNA, 2018
Mikael B, Swing Symphony #2, 2020
Following three years of preparation, Danish graffiti-inspired artist, Mikael B, has created a genre-defying body of work for his highly anticipated exhibition, Flow State, at Maddox Gallery Los Angeles. Swing Symphony #2, previewed here, is as radical as it is captivating. Ideal for any art collector interested in experimental urban art, Mikael B’s artwork blurs boundaries and defies limitation, signalling a new future for graffiti inspired art.
MIKAEL B, THE SWING SYMPHONY #2
RETNA, Sabrosura Negra, 2016
American street artist RETNA, otherwise known as Marquis Lewis, is inspired by the visual linguistics of graffiti. He is best known for his canvases featuring his own distinctive typography. Creating his own universal visual language, RETNA’s artwork can be seen as a modern interpretation of ‘tagging culture’, the act of an individual or group writing their name in a public space. Uniting the very roots of graffiti with a clean modern aesthetic, RETNA’s canvases nod towards the diverse history of street art while looking forward to the modernity of contemporary art.
