Though sometimes derided as vandalism, Graffiti is finally being recognised as an urban art that ranges from the simplest expression of love to the most high-profile statement pieces. Vibrant, poetic, and disruptive in its very existence this art form is an ode to the cities and towns that make the backdrop of our lives as we shop, eat, drink, and commute.
By taking over the mundane and forgotten spaces, Graffiti art begs its inhabitants to think about more, see more, and break from the mold we contort and constrict ourselves to. Graffiti art wills us to do more than what is expected.
Anyone who knows Brighton will also know that the city is very familiar with this phenomenon. Streets such as Trafalgar Lane, or more colloquially Grafalgar Lane, showcase the best of the graffiti scene, and the sides of numerous buildings are covered, from top to bottom, in this art form.
No stranger to the alternative, the walls of this coastal city have embraced it, with shopfronts incorporating this art style into their own signage, making a distinctive impact in areas such as The Lanes. In this article, we’ve put together a list of some of the finest, and most famous examples, of how this street art thrives in Brighton and Hove.
Kissing Coppers
The first on the list is perhaps the most famous. Banksy’s Kissing Coppers first inhabited the side of the Prince Albert Pub in 2004. Though what lives there currently is a replica, it sits in the original place where the original was unveiled.
Banksy’s most notable and regarded as the most iconic piece of British art at The Other Art Fair in London, Kissing Coppers can be found on Frederick Place Street not far from Brighton Train Station. An example of stencil graffiti, a common practice of Banksy’s, the image speaks to the rich LGBTQ+ culture and community that reside in Brighton, the informal LGBTQ+ capital of the UK.
Prince Albert Pub
Remaining on Frederick Place, visitors will struggle to miss the entire side of the Prince Albert Pub. Residing on the same wall as the Kissing Coppers is a mural dedicated to the musical legends from James Brown to George Michael and Amy Winehouse.
Entitled Icons and created by Req and Sinna One, this mural reminds us of the undeniable talent of those individuals who created some of the most iconic tracks that added, and continue to add, to the soundtrack for some of our most memorable moments in life, the joyous and the not-so-joyous. In total the mural features 26 deceased musicians, the actor Oliver Read and George Best.
David Bowie
Perhaps one of the most internationally recognised musicians ever to be of the British Isles, David Bowie is no stranger to being the subject of Graffiti art. Located on Trafalgar Street, this stencil graffiti was created by Jeff Aerosol and captures Bowie at the height of his Ziggy Stardust era.
Capturing his movement as he plays the guitar and looks directly at the viewer, it’s an ode to the artist we knew and loved. The small size of this piece and its semi-hidden location can make it easy for visitors to walk straight past it without a second thought so keep your eyes peeled, or save this picture, whichever works.
Spiderman
The Lanes have everything you could need for a fun weekend, from great spots to eat to some of the nicest pieces of jewelry to buy but it also contains a plethora of art and graffiti, including the Spiderman of Pizza Pilgrim. This might not be the Spiderman you’re thinking about though.
Whether a result of hanging out at Pizza Pilgrims too much or a slow day on the crime beat, Peter Parker is a little bit out of shape. Created by the artist Minty, this piece has a distinctive pop-art-inspired feel to it, and at the peak of the day, the sun makes it pop even more.
The Hobgoblin
A popular drinking spot for Brightonians and students past and present, The Hobgoblin decided that your standard pub sign just wouldn’t cut it in Brighton. Located on York Place the pub is covered from the ground floor to the third floor in fairy-tale and folkloric creatures and woodland foliage from hobgoblins to forest sprites, as well as toadstools and mushrooms.
Anime fans will even notice the Kodama from Studio Ghbili’s Princess Mononoke. Completely transforming the building when it was unveiled earlier this year, visitors have to stop and inspect what’s on display, the more you look the more you find. The piece was a collaborative effort between a number of graffiti artists.
Love Yourself
Trafalgar Lane is home to a whole street of ever-changing graffiti pieces. It’s because of this that the street is more lovingly known as Grafalger Lane, with someone going so far as to change the name on one of the street signs.
Though it was difficult to pick just one, a stand-out piece is GlimmerTwin32’s ode to Brighton Pride 2023, entitled Love Yourself. Set against a black background the subject, with fuscia-bright pink hair looks at the viewer pointedly over pink heart-shaped sunglasses as the words ‘Love Your Self’ and ‘Pride 23’ hover to the right of them. It’s a strong image that seeps style whilst communicating the affirmation.
Flower Crown Cat
Perhaps the cutest piece of graffiti art in this list, on Trafalgar Lane visitors can find an image of a green-eyed cat donning a flower crown. Described as a “flowery floofa” by the artist i.am.sprite, this piece came from the artists’ need to replace the Halloween-inspired cat they created last year.
Set against a purple background that makes the feline’s green eyes pop, visitors the slight whimsical expression the cat wears. A great example of how graffiti art doesn’t have to mean one style, it’s difficult not to take a picture of this little beauty. Keep an eye out for i.am.sprite’s other cat graffiti art in Brighton!
Guy Favela – Whitecross Street
On the very quiet street of Whitecross Street by MET College lies Guy Favela’s Untitled Work. A portrait of an African woman with an orange headdress and white flowers that peek out from under her skin sits at street level. Favela’s talent is their ability to capture so much detail in their graffiti, light dances on the subject and the definition of her features gives the impression that you’re looking at a photo rather than a piece of street art.
Favela’s work can be found across the breadth of Brighton, with other pieces on London Road and The Lanes but their piece of Whitecross Street stands out purely because it doesn’t stand as the backdrop to a busy street with high-footfall but a standard, semi-residential street making its impact greater.
Pride of the South Coast
This one goes out to the Brighton and Hove Albion fans. Titled Pride of the Southcoat and located on Farm Road, a side street that peels off from Western Road, the piece features stand-out players such as team captain Lewis Dunk, Solly March, Robert Sanchez, Tariq Lamptey, and Premier League goalscorer Pascal Gross.
Commissioned by Dogma, the Brighton and Hove fanzine, and created by well-known artist Sinna One, the street art incorporates multiple shades of blue to depict moments of the team’s celebration and success. Communicating team spirit and community support, the pieces’ position on Farm Road makes it easy to walk past without giving it a second thought, particularly if you’re running to get the bus, but take a moment and have a look, it is a great way to celebrate this longstanding team.
Barz Simpson
Just off Church Street in The Lanes sits a giant Bart Simpson with a DOOM mask on writing in a notebook. Created by one of Brighton’s most prolific graffiti artists, Aroe, in order to promote artist Sonnyjim’s track Barz Simpson which features MF DOOM and Jay Electronica.
The promotional image is inspired by the artwork created for the track by artist Peter Orsag. With a QR code in the bottom right image, it’s a great example of how graffiti can be used to promote in an artistic, creative way. As with all graffiti, who knows how long it will last, so go out and take a look at this masterpiece, and listen to the track too!
Graffiti Life Flowers
Located in The Lanes on Gloucester Road, as you enter from the direction of Hanover stands a beautiful mural of flowers painted on a black backdrop. Created by graffiti artist Sophie Mess, as part of the mural painting and street art collective Graffiti Life, Mess’ ability to harness the vibrancy of the pinks, violets, and blues is worthy of all admiration and will no doubt be the first thing that catches the eyes of passersby.
In short, this simple yet effective piece of work is mesmerising. Highlighting the beauty in graffiti as an accessible method of showcasing the craft of talented individuals, this artwork is beautiful. Not a local to Brighton, Mess can be found in Shoreditch creating more of these distinctive murals.
