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Street Art: Big Issue vendor Anthony is inspired by ancient African art

The Big Issue’s Street Art page gives talented, marginalised individuals an outlet for creative expression

‘Sorrow, Tears and Joy’
by Anthony Okuyedi

Anthony is a Big Issue vendor with a pitch at the Thurloe Street entrance to South Kensington tube station in West London. Selling The Big Issue has helped him to broaden his contacts and clients as an artist. “I have had a few paintings exhibited at local galleries and I am the official UK artist for Mama Biashara, a charity for Kenya,” he says. “I’ve sent paintings as far as Scotland, Taiwan and America and I am trying to open a website for my art and African jewellery.”

The inspiration for this artwork came from African masks from the ancient Benin empire.

Support our street artists over at The Big Issue Shop.

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