Wall to wall art

We've seen and enjoyed SO much art in the last few days that it was utterly appropriate to finish it all off with a ride by (on our bikes) past a building that has been entirely obliterated by art.

Ever since it closed down (in the mid 90s I think) The Lord Napier has been an unofficial monument to the rise of Hackney Wick at the hands of artists and creatives.

The pub is like a beacon outside Hackney Wick station and it says so much about the area in which it sits. It speaks of change and flux, of cutting edge creativity and a new order. It's been a squat and a rave venue and now it's this living canvas, endlessly changing and growing. The windows, doors, drain pipes and pub name have all been obliterated by paint - it's a complete takeover. Today, as a focal point of Hackney Wicked (Art Festival) it was treated to a major makeover, with five street artists working on it simultaneously.

There aren't many places I know where a completely graffitied pub would be acceptable or fitting, but here it really is.

It'll be fascinating to see how Hackney Wick develops. As it's right next to the Olympic Park there are shiny new canalside developments rubbing shoulders with the artists studios and workshops. It would be nice to think that the two worlds can continue to co-exist but only time will tell.

Actually I think it's highly likely the artists will move on. I've no doubt rents are on the up and the very fact that the likes of me knows about the area and (some of) its creative secrets probably means it's all over! The artists will gather themselves and move on to shine their light in another cheap and unlikely place that no one else wants to occupy.

It's what they do and a city like London is all the richer and more exciting for their presence and their pioneering spirit.