Whitecross Street to become giant canvas

The transformation of London’s Whitecross Street continued this weekend as a team of leading street artists turn 42m of disused shopfronts into a giant work of art.

The work is the first stage of the physical preparations for the Whitecross Street Party. Further installations by selected contemporary artists will appear on the rooftops and walls of London’s hippest street (according to the recent Google Street View awards) in time for the party weekend of 23-24 July.

Artist Teddy Baden, who is organising the street party along with St Luke’s Community Centre and homelessness charity SHP, said: “We’ve got over 40 artists taking part in this year’s ‘Rise of the Nonconformists’ exhibition. It’s right out in the street, not behind closed doors. Some of the work is likely to be unconventional and challenging and we intend to create something that the community will be proud of. Shepard Fairy (OBEY) will be taking part again this year and new names to the bill include Nick Reynolds, Nicki McCubbing, David Walker, War Boutique, Part2ism, Ben Slow and many more!”

Keren Wiltshire, Director of Services at St Luke’s said: “All kinds of local people are getting behind the event, which will be bigger and better than last year, even though budget cuts have starved our funding. As well as being a boost for the local area, the event will demonstrate the power of the arts to bring a whole community together.”

As well as large-scale installations, the Street Party will also feature live painting demonstrations by invited artists, as well as acoustic performances, all kinds of family fun, and a renowned international food market. For more information visit www.wxstreetparty.co.uk.