📷 Click Chronicles: London 'Eye'
Capturing the Ever-Changing Art in London's Banksy Tunnel
This past weekend, I had the pleasure of participating in the Edina Fall into the Arts Art Fair, and it was an incredible experience. The show was well-attended, giving me the chance to connect with many people who were drawn to my work. My best-selling image, "London 'Eye,'" continued to be a standout, with a 20"x30" metal print being the first piece I sold on Saturday morning, and it remained a crowd favorite throughout the weekend.
I want to thank everyone who stopped by my booth, shared their thoughts, and supported my art—it means the world to me. "London 'Eye,'" taken in the vibrant Leake Street Tunnel, tells the story of discovery, creativity, and the ever-changing nature of street art in one of the hidden corners of London—a subject close to my heart as a travel photographer. Below you can read the story behind it.
Exploring the hidden corners of cities around the world is one of the greatest joys of being a travel photographer. Every now and then, I stumble upon a place that feels like stepping into another world—an unexpected treasure that captures the spirit of a city in a way that few other places can. One such discovery, thanks to Atlas Obscura, was the Leake Street Tunnel, also known as the Banksy Tunnel, tucked away beneath Waterloo Station in London. This location became the backdrop for one of my most striking photographs, "London 'Eye.'"
Leake Street Tunnel gained its fame in 2008 when the renowned street artist Banksy organized an event called the "Cans Festival." During this event, Banksy invited 20 other street artists to transform the abandoned tunnel into a vibrant public gallery. The event was a celebration of street art, turning a neglected space into a living canvas that encouraged artistic expression and creativity. Since then, the tunnel has become a legal graffiti zone, continuously evolving as artists from all over the world leave their mark. In a city where graffiti is generally illegal and often punished as vandalism, this tunnel stands out as a rare, sanctioned space for free expression.
Walking through the tunnel, the walls exploded with color and expression, each piece of graffiti telling its own story, reflecting the pulse of the city above. I was immediately drawn to the raw energy of the space, the way the art seemed to breathe life into the otherwise cold, industrial surroundings.
Capturing “London 'Eye'” was a moment of connection—not just with the art itself, but with the countless artists who have contributed to this urban gallery. The eye at the center of the image, painted by the Argentinian street artist Cobre Art, felt particularly powerful. As far as I can determine, it was painted just the day before I took this photo, giving the piece an added layer of significance. The eye seemed to watch over the tunnel, witnessing the ebb and flow of creativity that passes through every day. It’s a reminder of the ever-present gaze of art in our lives, even in places we might not expect.
As with any location that is constantly evolving, there’s a bittersweet quality to photographing street art. The moment you capture is fleeting, destined to be painted over by the next wave of artists who will leave their mark on the walls. Earlier this spring, a close friend and fellow photographer visited the same spot where I took this photo in 2019, and it looks completely different now. It’s this impermanence that makes street art so compelling—each piece is a snapshot of a particular time and place, a reflection of the cultural landscape at that moment.
Leake Street Tunnel is a testament to the power of art to transform spaces and connect people. It’s a place where artists, both established and emerging, can leave their mark on the world, even if only for a short while. And as a photographer, being able to document this ever-changing environment is both a privilege and a challenge, as I try to capture the essence of a place that is constantly in flux.
Every time I look at “London 'Eye',” I’m reminded of the incredible diversity of expression that can be found in the most unexpected places. The more you look at the image, the more details you tend to notice, especially when it is printed large. You can’t help but laugh when you see Nelson Mandela wearing a birthday party hat. It’s a piece that resonates with me on a personal level, not just because of the vibrant colors and striking imagery, but because it represents the spirit of exploration and discovery that drives my work. This photograph has become my best-selling piece to date. I recently sold it at the Uptown Art Fair in Minneapolis as the largest image ever printed of my photography, measuring 30" by 45", and it looks spectacular.
Have you ever stumbled upon a hidden corner of a city that left a lasting impression on you? Tell me in the comments. I'd love to hear about your discoveries and how they’ve inspired you!
You can buy this photo “London ‘Eye’” as metal or print HERE.
Location:
London, England - N 51° 30' 7.851" W 0° 6’ 55.712
Capture Date:
August 10th, 2019, at 3:33 PM
Camera and Lens:
Nikon D7200 w/Tamron 16-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD
Settings:
18mm, HDR Stack (1/25, 1/100 and 1/6 sec), f/4.5, ISO 1250
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This place is a great find, thank you for sharing it with us! And congratulations on your sells!!