Next up in our look back at 2017 we thought we would be take a look back at what we have proactively organised and been up to about London this year. So where to begin really, Street Art and Blog wise it’s been an fantastic and fun year for us here at London Calling Blog, the most notable difference though is more so this year than in the previous years running the blog we have been somewhat consistently behind on our blogging. For this we apologise and can only say this is a slight downside to having got caught up in organizing some 200 or so murals around London this last year, but we have continued to share the fun with the many friends we have made along the way, artists and fellow enthusiasts alike.
Its certainly been a busy year for us here starting the first weekend of the new year and running until the very end of the year we are exceptionally privileged to have been able to have been involved in organizing so much art around the city. Starting with the absolutely sublime setting we got to celebrate the two year anniversary of the blog with a weekends access to an abandoned building in Soho where some 34 artists came to celebrate with us at the Brokedown Palace to kickstart the new year. somewhere we also got to return with some 23 artists who on both occasions used the magical setting to maximum effect. Apologies to all those who got in touch about visiting, for various reasons – mostly security as well as health and safety reason – this was not possible and while we invest so much time in all this for our love of public art and the accessibility it offers to all, ourselves and the artists couldn’t turn down such an opportunity.
The next major event in the calendar was the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam we put on with support from our friend M_Frenchi in Croydon which saw some 36 artists repaint the vast majority of the Arts Quarter. All of which was all the more impressive due to the brutal cold and gale-force winds that presented themselves on this weekend– seriously the Arts Quarter acts as an evil wind tunnel! So its for this reason that all the more credit should be given to the time and effort put in by the artists to create such an excellent array of works under extreme conditions, not to mention all who came down to document the event.
Beyond the trio of paint jams we put on over this last year we have also been fortunate enough to gain a few spots in new areas for us including West Norwood and Stockwell. However what we are most proud of is our SprayExhibition20 community project in Penge which has really gained momentum beyond our wildest expectations this last year and most satisfyingly consumed much of our free time – this is why are behind on our wider blog updates. In 2016 we were able to facilitate some 19 works across 16 spaces around the town, and over the course of 2017 we have managed to paint a further 94 works across some 88 spots around town, its only fair to say that this year the community of Penge has fully embraced the addition of some creativity to the town and are providing more spaces than we ever really hoped to get – very much a testament to the outstanding work of the 48 artists who have now painted in SE20 for the project.
Some of the spots we have been involved with this year have received wider attention with 11 walls from the Any Colour You Like Paint Jam in Croydon made it on to BBC Breakfast news, and a four made into the Croydon Advertiser on two separate occasions – without credits for the artists on both occasions. We are also beyond flattered to have had our two Soho paint jams featured on our favourite culture blog Inspiring City. We also can not fail to omit the well deserved response to Dreph’s painting in Penge for his You Are Enough series around London, marking the point which really started to establish Penge as a place to see great Street Art, with this work being featured in the Guardian, on ITV News and Reuters Global News Agency, making front page of the Huffington Post as well as providing a back drop to music videos and fashion shoots.
We also had a few firsts from the year, we have now had the police called on us on 5 occasions around South London, who have been nothing but courteous on each occasion and matters have been quickly resolved, its more a testament that no matter how much the community likes the art someone will always consider it vandalism. But it hasn’t been all bad, we got asked to do an exceptionally fun interview for Radio Penge as well as being provided the chance to contribute to the Community Magazine SE20 – which has helped spread the word and resulted in people getting in touch to support the project with spaces. We also did our first ever street art tour for the Penge Art Trail which was firstly free as they should be and immense fun, a real pleasure to be involved with.
We would like to take the time to say a big thank you to everyone who has provided us with spaces to paint, in new areas and of course to everyone in Penge who has continued to provide us with spaces or got involved this last year.
As is always the case we couldn’t do what we do here without the help we receive from the good friends we have made along the way and this last year was truer than ever with the invaluable help some people selflessly provided to do whatever it took to make Street Art appear around London. We would like to thank New Art Rioter for all the consistent support with ‘everything’, thank you to M_Frenchi & Spike_ML, Street Art Atlas, Tanya Nash, Mark Hat, London_By_Zappa & Lewis Querelle for consistently taking the time to come down to Penge and share some of the work we have been doing in our local area to the wider world.
A massive thank you to M_Frenchi for helping us put together the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam, for letting us know when artists are visiting London, helping out when we couldn’t be around to help with artists when required, mulshing spots and jusy about everything else. An equally massive thanks to Street Art Atlas for all the help throughout the year, documenting all our projects with first rate photography and helping carry ladders, mulsh spots, running across town to get paint so the artist could complete their works, and of course for on a few occasions now helping someone finish a painting by the light from a phone, among all else.
Of course a big thank you to Spike_ML who like all of the previous few friends mentioned has helped us run ladders around town, measure spots and all the other little tasks that need to occur behind the scenes in order to make this all happen. Additionally shouts to Mark Hat for bringing Coloquix to the town for his first painting jaunt in London. Your help is immensely appreciated and its only fair to say that Penge is looking all the much better for all your help.
Lastly and by no means least we would like to add a few big thanks to Lawrence & Ben for providing ladders WHENEVER we have needed them and of course to Kevin & Molly for also providing ladders as well as expert advice and help on repair works that have been required prior to painting. You guys have really helped bring Penge to life.
Finally to the countless number of artists who have obliged our photography, questions and above all else to all those artists who have painted for us this last year and all those who have kindly given us a heads up to when they have painted so we could document the entire working process. It is for the kindness and assistance of all these people that we have managed to report on all that we have and had so much fun doing it, Thank You most sincerely from us here at London Calling Blog, lets see what we can all make happen together next year about town!
I know we have already said far to much but we thought we would like to end the write up to our review of our last year with our favourite story from 2017 – and we have a few now, some interesting, many boring, some rather fiery. However this brief tale is a testament to how a great painting can change people’s perceptions on art, vandalism and its potential value to the community. We wont name anyone involved, but we were provided with a shutter to paint on a local business in Penge and in this instance one of the owners wanted the artwork and had granted us permission and their partner really did not like the idea and did not want us to do it, especially on the day we arrived with the artist to actually paint. The artist set up and proceeded to paint a stunning work if we do say so and as they were finishing the work the unimpressed party come out to see how things were going for the first time that day and burst into the biggest of smiles and instantaneously apologised for opposing the idea, instantly falling in love with the mural added. This one painting which we know the many residents who passed by while it was being constructed and mentioned after were enjoying – which is what it is all about at its core – also changed the mind of someone who was previously completely against the notion of trusting us to get someone to paint their property. If we can convert more people to the idea and convince them to let artists paint their properties, imagine how inspiring the whole city could become.
Work by Irony in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by Decolife in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by Nerone in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by Crey One in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by Skeleton Cardboard & Decolife in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by Kleiner Shames in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by Skeleton Cardboard – in front and at the back – in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
‘London Calling Dog’ by Airborne Mark in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by Olivier Roubieu in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by Olivier Roubieu in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by Toas in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by Dahkoh in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by Kid Crayon in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Night view of ‘Substance’ by Sr. X in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by Nolij in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by Lost Souls members Si Mitchell & SPZero76 in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by Tom Blackford in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by The Real Dill in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by Decolife in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by Jane Mutiny in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by Aspire in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Works by Aspire, Decolife, Tom Blackford, The Real Dill, Si Mitchell & SPZero76 in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by Artista in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by 0707 in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Works by The Real Dill & SPZero76 in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Great work by Giusi Tomasello in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by Annatomix in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by Artista in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
“RIP The Minesweeper” by Morgandy, Eska, Itaewon & with the calligraphy by Illy in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by Morgazmik in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by Eska in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by Itaewon in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by Autone in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by Nurse Agnes in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
‘Sh…Eye…T’ by Dotmasters in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by Jask in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by New Art Rioter in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
“The Can is Mightier Than…” by SPZero76 in Soho for the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
Work by Morgazmik in Penge.
‘The Price of Everything’ by Irony in Penge.
Work by Dotmasters in Penge.
Works by Dotmasters in Penge.
Work by Dotmasters in Penge.
Work by Candie in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by She in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by Unity in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by Decolife in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by Dreph in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by Carleen De Sozer in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by Autone in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by Minto in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by Nerone in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by Nolij in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by Thisone in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by Toas in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by SkyHigh in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by The Real Dill in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by New Art Rioter in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by Dahkoh in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by Hunto in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by Hunto in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by Ali Hamish in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by Tom Blackford in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by Elno in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by Aspire in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by Airborne Mark in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by Olivier Roubieu in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by Giusi Tomasello in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by Woskerksi in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by Sr. X in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Works by Ali Hamish, Tom Blackford, Elno, Aspire, Airborne Mark, Olivier Roubieu, Giusi Tomasello & Woskerksi in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by The Lost Souls – Squirl, SPZero76, Si Mitchell & Captain Kris in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by Morgazmik in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by Roo in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by James Chuter in Croydon for the ‘Any Colour You Like’ Paint Jam.
Work by Decolife in Penge.
Work by Decolife in Penge.
Work by Decolife in Penge.
Work by Coloquix in Penge.
Work by DRT in Penge.
Work by DZIA in Penge.
Work by Woskerski in Penge.
Work by Airborne Mark in Penge.
Work by Decolife in Penge.
Work by Decolife in Penge.
Work by DRT in Penge.
Work by DRT in Penge.
‘Magpie Salute’ by Aspire in Penge.
Work by Artista in Penge.
Work by Dope in Penge.
Work by Dreph in Penge.
Works by Artista, Dreph, Aspire & Decolife in Southey Street.
Work by Woskerski in Penge.
Work by Carleen De Sozer in Penge.
Work by Woskerski in Penge.
Work by Vanesa Longchamp in Penge.
25/05/17 – The little wall at Penge East gets its 6th makeover with this fun wor ‘Brainwashed’ by James Chuter.
Work by HNRX in Penge.
Work by Thisone in Penge.
Work by Artista in Penge.
‘CA$H COW’ by Airborne Mark in Penge.
Work by Decolife in Penge.
Work by Decolife in Penge.
‘You Can’t Deny This’ by Sr. X in Penge.
Work by Frankie Strand and Weardoe in Penge.
Work by Frankie Strand in Penge.
Work by Hunto in Penge.
Work by Hunto in Penge.
Work by Woskerski in Penge.
Work by Dope in Penge.
Work by Soureye in Penge.
Works by New Art Rioter in Penge.
Works by Thisone, Frankie Strand, Weardoe, HNRX, Morgazmik, DRT, Autone, Decolife, Woskerski, New Art Rioter, Hunto, Sr, X & Artista in Penge.
Works by Thisone, Frankie Strand/Weardoe, HNRX & Morgazmik in Penge.
Works by Dope & Hunto (above) and Artista, Woskerski & Airborne Mark (bottom) in Penge.
Work by Artista in West Norwood.
Work by Airborne Mark in West Norwood.
Work by Aspire in Penge.
Work by Nerone in Penge.
Work by Falko1 in Penge.
Work by Falko1 in Penge.
Work by Falko1 in Penge.
Work by Falko1 in Penge.
Work by Falko1 in Penge.
Work by Boe & Irony in Penge.
Work by Artista in Penge.
Work by Artista in Penge.
Work by Soureye in Penge.
Work by AIrborne Mark in Penge.
Work by Ant Carver in Penge.
Work by Nig & Delgan in Penge.
Work by Delgan in Penge.
Work by Nig in Penge.
Work by Woskerski in Penge.
Work by Coloquix in Penge.
Work by DRT & Coloquix in Penge.
Work by Aspire in Penge.
Work by Decolife in Penge.
Work by Nolij in Penge.
Work by DRT in Penge.
Work by Stinkfish in Penge.
Work by Stinkfish in Penge.
Work by Maikel Walkman in Penge.
Work by Ketones6000 in Penge.
‘Nibiru’ by Airborne Mark in Soho for the ‘Gimme Shelter’ Paint Jam.
Work by Woskerksi in Soho for the ‘Gimme Shelter’ Paint Jam.
Work by Olivier Roubieu in Soho for the ‘Gimme Shelter’ Paint Jam.
Work by Maikel Walkman in Soho for the ‘Gimme Shelter’ Paint Jam.
Work by Nolij in Soho for the ‘Gimme Shelter’ Paint Jam.
Work by Spek in Soho for the ‘Gimme Shelter’ Paint Jam.
Work by Frankie Strand & Caroline Derveaux in Soho for the ‘Gimme Shelter’ Paint Jam.
Work by She in Soho for the ‘Gimme Shelter’ Paint Jam.
Work by Candie in Soho for the ‘Gimme Shelter’ Paint Jam.
Work by Maikel Walkman in Soho for the ‘Gimme Shelter’ Paint Jam.
Work by Sam King in Soho for the ‘Gimme Shelter’ Paint Jam.
Work by Autone in Soho for the ‘Gimme Shelter’ Paint Jam.
Work by Dahkoh in Soho for the ‘Gimme Shelter’ Paint Jam.
Work by Alex Amery in Soho for the ‘Gimme Shelter’ Paint Jam.
Work by The Real Dill in Soho for the ‘Gimme Shelter’ Paint Jam.
Works by Dahkoh, Alex Amery & The Real Dill in Soho for the ‘Gimme Shelter’ Paint Jam.
Work by Agwa in Soho for the ‘Gimme Shelter’ Paint Jam.
Work by Toas in Soho for the ‘Gimme Shelter’ Paint Jam.
Work by Itaewon in Soho for the ‘Gimme Shelter’ Paint Jam, flanked by work from Skeleton Cardboard from the ‘Brokedown Palace’ Paint Jam.
‘Pennywise’ by JXC in Soho for the ‘Gimme Shelter’ Paint Jam.
Work by Mr Christa in Soho for the ‘Gimme Shelter’ Paint Jam.
Work by Juan2 in Soho for the ‘Gimme Shelter’ Paint Jam.
Work by Aspire in Soho for the ‘Gimme Shelter’ Paint Jam.
Work by Mowcka & Elno in Soho for the ‘Gimme Shelter’ Paint Jam.
Work by Giusi Tomasello in Penge.
Work by Fernando Leon in Penge.
Work by Woskeski in Penge.
“Snake” by Trust Icon – Level 6 for his exhibition ‘Street Artist’ around London.
“V.R.” by Trust Icon – Level 7 for his exhibition ‘Street Artist’ around London.
“Stay up Snoopy!” by Trust Icon – Level 8 for his exhibition ‘Street Artist’ around London.
“Less Vanity” by Trust Icon – Level 9 for his exhibition ‘Street Artist’ around London.
“Fully Charged” by Trust Icon – Level 10 for his exhibition ‘Street Artist’ around London.
“The Hunt” by Trust Icon – Level 11 for his exhibition ‘Street Artist’ around London.
“Fat Cat” by Trust Icon – Level 13 for his exhibition ‘Street Artist’ around London.
“Take Away” by Trust Icon – Level 14 for his exhibition ‘Street Artist’ around London.
‘Wolf. I . AM’ by Airborne Mark in Stockwell.
Work by Aspire in Stockwell.
Work by Ben Jay Crossman in Stockwell.
Work by Roo in Stockwell.
“Untitled” by Trust Icon – Level 15 for his exhibition ‘Street Artist’ around London.
“Stop & Search” by Trust Icon – Level 16 for his exhibition ‘Street Artist’ around London.
Work by Mr Christa in Penge.
“Grandma’s House” by Trust Icon – Level 17 for his exhibition ‘Street Artist’ around London.
Work by Tizer in Stockwell.
Work by Alice Pasquini in Penge.
Work by Alice Pasquini in Penge.
Work by Alice Pasquini in Penge.
Work by Aspire in Penge.
London Calling Blog 
What a great post, you’ve done so much this year it’s unbelievable and really impressive. Looking forward to seeing you in the new year and to seeing more from London Calling 😀
The art is truly amazing and receiving your emails allows me to follow and find the art for myself
Thank you, glad to hear you enjoy what we and the artists do