March: THREE BAGS FULL by James Straffon
The little boy who lives down the lane presents THREE BAGS FULL - an abridgement of artworks, spanning a decade of painting on West Green walls.
Just the showcase, in which to embrace, possibly purchase, from here and there, a menagerie of notable local beasts, and artful fanfare; briefly released, from their habitat in the hood. To make All Good; the spotted woodpecker; dotty ladybird; got lit lemur. The famous urban fox; kerbside elephant; triumphant Lioness. Not to mention that schoolyard giraffe; rare bird Hornbill; majestic mouflon. Set to rub shoulders with Alexandra of Denmark; Alice of Wonderland; Little Simz of Izzy; Felix the Cat; Duke Ellington; Grace Jones; the late Queen Elizabeth II. Not to forget further puffed pigment, from notable names, that made a mark. STEWY. Mobstr. The Toasters. And some bloke called Banksy.
James Straffon (b. 1966) is a London-based artist whose work explores the intersection of the natural world and urban life. Beginning as a graphic designer, he shifted focus to street art and ecological projects, creating public, free-to-view imagery that engages audiences with issues of conservation, biodiversity, and climate change.
Photo (left) by Veronica Bailey
April: KEEP CURIOUS by Ellis Lewis-Dragstra
Ellis Lewis-Dragstra is a London based self taught mixed media artist whose art explores themes of race/identity, our connection to nature, language, childhood and the human experience, often through afro surrealist visual storytelling. Using a vibrant mix of traditional and digital mediums (acrylic paint, watercolours, oil pastels, photography, pencil and digital illustration) he bridges the gap between "high" and "low" art to create work that feels accessible while not compromising quality or the subject explored. He wants the viewer to read the images, feel the work, while encouraging them to stretch their own creativity, solve meaningful visual puzzles and see something new with every look.
From birth Ellis has used art as a personal visual language and lifelong tool for better understanding both the world and the self. His art embraces humour, tragedy and the search for truth, always encouraging the viewer to stay as curious as a child and keep the adult scepticism of any absolutes.
May: Photography by Michael Gilroy
Michael Gilroy is an award-winning filmmaker who began exploring street photography in 2020. What started as a hobby quickly evolved into a compelling visual practice, resulting in a striking body of work that captures humour, poignancy, and the sublime in everyday street life—particularly on the streets of London. His storytelling instincts, honed through filmmaking, bring a cinematic quality to his photography, where each frame suggests a narrative waiting to unfold.
Michael is a three-time winner of Smart Shots in Black + White Photography Magazine, and his work has been featured by Leica Camera USA. Embracing the unpredictability of the streets, he thrives on the spontaneity of the unknown, turning ordinary encounters into memorable visual moments.