Since Banky's provocative stencils pretty much re-wrote the rulebook of mainstream graffiti, artists have been getting increasingly more creative with the application of their wall-daubings. Gone are the connotations of hoodied-hoodlums spray-canning mindless tags, graffiti has climbed into the echelons of 'street art' incarnation, and with it comes the decal / sticker trend.

A cursory glance around East London's graffiti hotspots will offer many-a-stickered area.  Pioneer of the adhesive movement was D*Face whose giant, punk-esque decals have been splattered on E1 walls since the mid-naughties. Ace One, Lempke, Chora and many others are a new breed who continue to plaster doodlings on unsuspecting walls, lampposts and public amenities.

Hot from the streets, arty wall decals are the latest interior trend: removable wall decals here are a snappy way to update a drab space lurking in your homestead. Less costly than the uber-passe fancy-schmancy Victoriana wallpaper and easy to whip down should you tire of it. Can't afford that taxidermy deer mount? Slap a silhouette decal over your fireplace! No vista from your basement bedsit? Paste a cityscape decal across your lounge wall!

We particularly love David Shrigleys witty 'days stuck in this room' jail tally chart (makes our self-incarceration feel a little more pleasurable) and Keith Haring's multicoloured dancers. Craaw's gigantic painterly decals are like having your own personal beautiful gothic dreamscape.

Decal hunters should check out Brick Lane, Bethnal Green, Angel, Old Street. Keep and eye out for Eine's colourful alphabet soup on shop shutters as well.

Posted on May 14, 2012 at 10:38:20 by The Real Runway