Leake Street, a disused road tunnel that runs underneath Waterloo Station London, is well known as a mecca for street art – murals, graffiti etc. There’s hardly an inch of wall that hasn’t been painted, and then painted over and over again.
Just where the tunnel ends I found this artwork. I love the sweeping lines of this and the sense of imminent destruction by a giant tidal surge. It features an impression of some of the landmarks that pierce the London skyline. To Londoners these buildings are readily recognisable.
For those of you from overseas: the spike is The Shard – one of the latest skyscrapers in the capital and the tallest building in Europe. Slightly below and to the left are a clutch of buildings from the Canary Wharf district. Finally slightly to the right is the unmistakable Strata building from Elephant and Castle with three wind turbines that sit within the tapering roof – turbines that I have never seen rotate.
If you are ever in that area of London with time to spare, pay a visit to this tunnel – it will be time well spent.
LensScaper 
Very cool find Andy. These graffiti artists are really talented and I love when they display their work. Sure beats the bad graffiti that has no artistic value whatsoever.
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I absolutely agree, Len. There really is some superb work about – not always easy to find, but it’s always worth the effort when you hunt something down and are rewarded by a skilful work.
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I can’t believe how much the Londond skyline has changed in the very short time I’ve been away Andy. I went searching images as I hadn’t heard of the Strata building..
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It seems to change by the month Adrian. My son lives in Kennington just south of the Elephant and that area is undergoing massive regeneration with several more towers being built as we speak at E&C. Strata is instantly identifiable because of its peculiar top.
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Not only is the grafetti interesting, but your photo as well. It’s well composed, which can sometimes be difficult to do on some small streets.
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Thanks Ken. Yes, not always easy, very often you can’t get at a head-on shot. This one wasn’t a problem
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As interesting as the buildings and the water is the person I assume to be a diver. Maybe a surfer, but I think diver. I love the way he’s giving that an appraising look, as if thinking, “Should I? or not?” Whatever he decides, I’ve already decided this is really great street art, and I’m glad you captured it for us.
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Thanks very much Linda. I’ve looked hard at the figure and wondered exactly who or what he depicts. Diver or Surfer? Good question. I wonder whether there was a deeper meaning. Is this image about a tsunami engulfing ‘capitalism’? Or is it a surfer looking for the ultimate ride? I would love to know.
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Ah, Leake St…. Frequently changing artwork!
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I guess you’ve been there, Sue!
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How very perspicacious of you! 😀
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Sorry Sue – I should have thanked you earlier but for some reason this got lodged in the ‘Spam’ folder.
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Oh, this spam thing gets many of us from time to time 😳
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Well found Andy … I think maybe there’s one surfer who’s glad to have missed that particular ride !
I had to look up the Strata too … such changes …
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Thanks Poppy, I guess you must be that surfer! The Elephant and Castle area will be totally unrecognizable in a year or two once the development is finished.
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