Brick Lane is known for its vibrance, lively markets, and public space art. But this week, it sees itself at the centre of a graffiti war between supporters and opponents of China’s Communist Party (CCP).
When online videos showed a group of artists spray-painting political slogans in big red Chinese characters on a nearly 100m long wall on Brick Lane on Saturday, it provoked debate over whether they count as street art — and the relationship between freedom of expression and political propaganda.