artLIVE – Paste-ups is a form of street collage art that has become familiar to the artistic community in London, UK. Artists use a special type of paste made from flour to stick hand-drawn posters on the walls of buildings, train stations, and underpasses.
Paste-ups — Street Art through Paper Posters
Alongside the mural and graffiti movements, Paste-ups have also flourished as a distinctive street art form in London.
Unlike large-scale murals that can take days or even weeks to complete, Paste-ups allow artists to create multiple “copies” of their work in a short amount of time.
The creative process begins in the artist’s studio, where they sketch, outline, and paint to complete a finished poster. In addition to hand-drawing, street artists may also use other mediums such as digital graphic design or woodblock printing to express their individuality.
The Paste-up art form thrives on creative freedom, unbound by rigid rules. Subjects can range from caricatures of famous figures with strong social influence to slogans promoting equality and human rights.
After completing their posters, street artists print them in various sizes and “cover” the cityscape with their work. From narrow alleyways, stair railings, and fire hydrants to towering building walls — all bear the traces of Paste-ups.
Depending on the weather — dry or damp — the artwork’s durability varies. Some pieces last for several months, while others fade away after just three or four days.
However, from another perspective, this ephemeral and ever-changing nature is what makes Paste-ups so special. The transient quality encourages constant creativity, allowing artists to refresh and reinvent the city’s visual landscape.
Famous Paste-up Streets in London, UK
The often-grey atmosphere of London seems much livelier and more vibrant thanks to Paste-ups. Strolling through the city’s bustling commercial streets, visitors can easily spot brick walls covered in layers of posters and artistic stickers.
Seven Stars Yard, London
Nestled to the left of Brick Lane, Seven Stars Yard is a well-known gathering spot for the city’s street art community.
Dating back to the early 18th century, this small courtyard once belonged to a pub of the same name that attracted various “unruly” crowds. Over time, local gangs used graffiti, murals, and paste-ups to assert their presence — inadvertently contributing to the rise of street art in the area.
What draws visitors to Seven Stars Yard today are its bold, layered Paste-ups that constantly change. It’s fair to say that this spot serves as an open-air gallery, where both local and international street artists freely showcase their talent.
Fashion Street, London
Located across from the lively Commercial Street, Fashion Street is another must-visit destination for street art lovers.
Here, Paste-ups are typically hand-painted, featuring large formats, vivid contrasting colors, and abstract imagery.
At first glance, Fashion Street might seem chaotic — layers of posters overlapping with no apparent order. But on closer inspection, you’ll recognize the signatures of well-known street artists such as Neon Savage, Endless, Aida Wilde, Donk, Ben Rider, City Kitty, D7606, and C3.
Grimsby Street, London
Grimsby Street is not only famous for its Paste-ups but also plays a key role in the development of other street art styles — graffiti, stencil, murals, and tagging.
In the early 2000s, this street was known as a haven for contemporary stencil works by Banksy. The number of artworks was so vast that one could wander for hours without getting bored.
Grimsby Street’s Paste-ups often focus on cheerful, cartoon-style illustrations and positive community messages.
Unfortunately, when the local government expanded the East London Overground line, parts of Grimsby Street — along with many Paste-ups — were demolished.
Buxton Street, London
Buxton Street leads visitors toward the lush glasshouse of Allen Gardens and is home to some of London’s most eye-catching Paste-ups.
In recent years, the street has become a favorite gathering place for local artists, who compete to showcase their creations. The works are so numerous that they’ve begun to “spill over” into neighboring areas.
According to nearby residents, visitors can often catch artists in action — carefully pasting new works onto walls. This opportunity to witness the creative process firsthand makes Buxton Street one of the city’s top attractions for street art enthusiasts.
References:
entergallery.com
atomgallery.co.uk
hookedblog.co.uk
