“Oranges and lemons” said the bells of St Clements
“You owe me five farthings” said the bells of St Martins
“When will you pay me?” said the bells of Old Bailey
“When I grow rich said the bells” of Shoreditch
Shoreditch was once a very low radar area of London, a clash of cultures within the Hackney borough that wasn’t much of locals concern. However as the years have gone on, it's become a pretty interesting area of London. It's located in the east end and used to be a run-down area of London, you can see glimpses of the older parts of town in the outskirts of the city but for the most part, the gentrification of Shoreditch is pretty clear. Take a walk down Brick Lane and you're surrounded by unique restaurants, trendy bars and edgy cafes all run by the creative young middle class.
On the topic of gentrification, in Shoreditch gentrification is widely expressed in the food scene. Food culture in Shoreditch is vibrant, diverse and adventurous. Although Shoreditch has always been a diverse area, the new young middle class have created a sophisticated foodie culture to express their creative outlets. This has also led to the popular nightlife culture, Shoreditch is so popular for.
A popular food-stop in Shoreditch is BOXPARK, a pop-up mall made out of shipping containers. Originally founded in 1999 by Roger Wade in a German trade show, BOXPARK is a perfect representation of the kitsch locations Shoreditch has to offer that has helped bring so much business to the area. You can stroll through the unique boutiques in the lower levels or visit the upper levels that have great artesian foods and beverages; you can even grab a cup of bubble tea or try out a vegan bubble waffle. There's also a great food festival held on every weekend, which is a great way of experiencing the different cultures and tastes of London.
One of the biggest appeals of Shoreditch is it’s street art. Street art in Shoreditch is always evolving, a piece you see one week might be replaced by another the next. Historically it’s been a great place for new artists to display their work and set up studios. Pieces by various world-renowned artists can be seen around the area in nooks and crannies, narrow alleyways, tunnels and even old train stations.
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[photo via google images]
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One popular piece that can be found on Rivington St is Banksy’s ‘Designated Graffiti Area’, a somewhat controversial piece despite not being political plays into the position of street art of in society and public property and opinion. Local artist Stik’s work can also be found in the area, his work often speaks about the community which is reflective in his monochromatic art style that often blends in with surroundings; sitting on brick walls, peering from tall heights.
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| [photo via google images] |
Although some may argue recent years have seen an evaporation of its bustling art scene but don’t be fooled, street art in Shoreditch is still alive even if artists aren’t as locally situated. Most artists that had studios often were able to build platforms and move onto greater ventures for the world to see their work.
Here are some of my own street art finds on my stroll through Shoreditch.
All in all, although the exotic looking drinks and artsy meals will always be appealing, you don't have to spend any pennies to enjoy the area, just take a walk in any direction and you're bound to discover something interesting.
