Next up we are taking a look at an incredible artwork placed up over the summer in our hometown of Penge by visiting Swedish artist Vegan Flava, making for his first and only painting in England. Vegan Flava is an artist we have long admired in the digital realm, so we were delighted to say the least when a mutual friend put us in touch about painting in SE20 and we got to see his art in person. Vegan Flava’s work is so intricately constructed, he is certainly one of the most meticulous artists we have ever seen painting and focuses on endangered species and the damage humanity is bestowing upon the planet. This work titled Queens Crossing the North Sea features a short-haired bumblebee as its subject and was inspired by a unique project which was the first attempt in the world to reintegrate a bumblebee species. For ten years, commencing in 2009, several hundred queen bees were transported from Sweden to the UK and unfortunately after a decade of work by scientists and volunteers the project was unsuccessful. Vegan Flava through this subject wanted to highlight just one of way too many examples of how scientists and volunteers are attempting to mend the damage humanity has caused in such a short time to species and ecosystems that have existed for thousands of years, as well as the fact that much of the damage caused cannot be undone.

We wish to say a massive thank you to Vegan Flava for spending his first visit to London painting hanging around SE20 to do so and for leaving such an incredible and powerful artwork for the townsfolk and ourselves to engage with. We would also like to say a big thank you to the generous space owner, who kindly donated a spot and trusted us to work it. Big thanks to Heardy67 for the hook up also. The fantastic work below was placed up in Padua Road, Penge, and was put up with support from ourselves London Calling Blog for our SprayExhibition20 community street art project.

Vegan Flava at work.

Vegan Flava at work.

Vegan Flava at work.

Vegan Flava with his finished work.

Queens Crossing the North Sea in Padua Road, Penge.