The Plight of London Street Art

By Chen Chi-Hsiang. Every time I visit London, I seize every opportunity to hunt for street art, often experiencing extraordinary amazement—a raw vitality inaccessible to the museum and gallery system. Frequently visiting Whitechapel Gallery, I also explore the streets and corners of the Indian district to find street art. Each time brings unexpected encounters and wonder. During one treasure hunt, I coincidentally met a student group guided by a teacher; following their footsteps, I captured many images.

Among the various types of street art, what amazed me most were the text-and-image works by WRD.SMITH, a writer reportedly active in major Australian cities who recently appeared on London streets. His works combine images and text, featuring youthful imagery alongside a typewriter with an A4 sheet of black text expressing emotional, poetic sentiments, full of literary quality, signed WRD.SMITH. For example, a young woman’s reflections on life or love: "I will always wonder period." Or the plight of handsome men and beautiful women: "Boy meets girl, Boy loses girl, Boy tattoos Walls all over The world to Woo girl again The end?"