Graffiti and Street Art

The sense of timing here is wonderful, just a second either way and the separation between mural and figure would be completely lost. It helps that the boy is wearing a shirt bright enough to hold its own against the colours of the paint. The photographer has chosen the perfect shutter speed to freeze the motion and reveal every detail in the child’s face and football strip.

This picture has a wonderful sense of place. It’s more than a snap of colourful graffiti, it’s actually very cleverly composed to include the sign for ‘Bank Street’ in the top righthand corner and enough paving slabs to direct the eye towards the figure. The man is marking up the paper (perhaps for a bet?) and is clearly unaware that he is being photographed. It’s well observed, and the overcast light really brings out the rich colours of the paintwork.

The colours, textures and shapes on this wall make it feel like an artwork in its own right, but the mural and swing take it to another level. I love the way the woman’s expression, hairstyle and posture mirror the girl – and her delight at seeing the painting seems entirely genuine. Including the metal grill and a strip of pavement at the bottom helps to frame the action nicely.