Banksy Poodle & Designated Graffiti Area

After a long visit at the Tower of London it was relaxing to hop on a red bus and head up to see the 2 Banksy pieces. They are in a club courtyard as was mentioned but visible behind plexiglass. There are other interesting pieces of street art around as well. Will have to return to see the rest another day.

Great piece of street art. Took a cursory walk through the area and didn't find too many of Banksy's works but was cool to see this one.

One of Banksy's best bits of street art. If you want to see this one for free you'll actually have to be a bit cheeky, as it's in the backyard of club Cargo: the back gate is usually open when I go past in the daytime, and you can see it from the street. It's very much in the 'making coppers look a bit silly' vein, with a security guard and poodle. Actually the joke may be on Banksy a bit, as poodles are very intelligent and have been used for police work in the past. Never mind. The pair seem to be guarding a 'designated graffiti area', complete with royal approval! There's also a HMV dog further in, if you don't feel too bad going right into the yard! You could always buy some food: the menu looks good!


One thing I have slightly mixed feelings about: the venue has actually put these works under Perspex. I suppose it's needed to keep them in good condition, and ensures they will be there in the future, but I do think it detracts a bit to see them 'under glass'.


The local area is a bit of a hotspot for street art. You'll find loads around. Look out for Eine (not actually a German), who specialises in single large letters on shop fronts, and has now progressed to single words covering the whole sides of buildings. Or in nearby Curtain Road there's work by El Chivo (boy with burning boat, sadly nearly gone as I write), Space Invaders (mosaic Space Invaders characters) and loads more.

Very cool to see one of the notorious Banksky's famous street art pieces in person.

Because Bansky has gone to the mattresses with the street art community and his work is painted over or altered almost as fast as it goes up.

As such, please note that the building owner has put this behind plexiglass to protect it and that does detract from the pleasure.

I love dropping into Cargos back garden regularly enough to witness what the newest walls of art are displaying. The 2 banksy peices are indeed under perspex & always present, but the other walls are a constant changing canvas for the latest visiting street artists in London with solo shows opening etc. It also helps that further along this back garden section, the Black Rat Press gallery is located, which fairly regularly has artist shows on display (if you're lucky enough to catch them open!). If you enjoy scouring the streets for new stencils & pasteup's - be sure to drop by here & catch a glimpse of the walls if the gates are open!