London Graffiti Show Shut Down After Vandalism Controversy

Last Thursday, a graffiti exhibition held at London’s Piccadilly Circus had to be halted unexpectedly due to the presence of unauthorized street art.

A freshly opened venue titled Long Dark Tunnel was host to a “gallery takeover” by prominent figures within the art scene, such as 10Foot, Tox, and Fume. Coordinated by Arts Arkade and London publication Big Issue, this exhibition unfolded after a special 10Foot-guided edition of their magazine, containing an interview between Banksy and Tox.

The event was cancelled following the discovery of graffiti, which read “disrespect to the king,” on the premises and surrounding structures, all belonging to the Crown Estate – the monarch’s extensive real estate holdings valued at approximately £15.5 billion.

As a gamer, I’d express it like this: “I can’t stress enough how intolerable and serious the vandalism we’ve faced is. It’s not something we brush aside lightly. Regrettably, the recent incident has forced us to take action, and that means temporarily closing down. It’s important to clarify that none of our artists or event participants appear to be involved, but The Times reports that this unfortunate event has led the estate to demand that the organizers address the damage swiftly.

10Foot expressed to the media, “It’s always the same situation,” he said, “we’re labeled as unsociable fools and they refuse to discuss with us when we perform actions that are universally recognized as beneficial. It’s like a fox being pursued by hunters, feeling powerless against those in authority.

At the event, we poured our heart and soul into every aspect, always aiming for positive outcomes. The turnout was astounding, with attendees traveling from various parts of the nation in droves. As a result, we managed to collect a substantial sum – hundreds of thousands – for the benefit of homeless individuals.

The Big Issue represents the editorial division of The Big Issue Group, a socially responsible organization established in 1991 with the mission of assisting those affected by poverty in the UK through various aspects such as healthcare, housing, job opportunities, and education.

In response to the ongoing police investigation, The Crown Estate chose not to provide a statement, instead, they communicated to Artnet that Arts Arkade was accountable for the shutdown.

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