Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Feeling the heat? Help our vendors keep cool. Buy a summer support kit for £35
BUY NOW
Art

Street Art: These sketches show what it means to be 'down-and-out' in London

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

‘Home Is Where The Park Is’
by Anonymous 

“People think they almost recognise the places I try to draw, but they could be anywhere really,” reflects this artist, who was homeless for a time and now is vulnerably housed.

His simple sketches vividly convey what it means to be “down-and-out” in London. “I see rough sleepers around town every day,” he goes on. “I identify with them, but I can’t really do much to help, except just being friendly.

I draw pictures of people in doorways, or sitting out on the street. I don’t do likenesses very often… I don’t want to be intrusive. I tend to draw approximations of what I see around the town. Typical scenes… all too typical.”

Support our street artists over at The Big Issue Shop.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

SIGN THE PETITION

Will you sign Big Issue's petition to ask Keir Starmer to pass a Poverty Zero law? It's time to hold government to account on poverty once and for all.

Recommended for you

View all
'This has been my shelter': Powerful exhibition spotlights artists with experience of insecure housing
Art

'This has been my shelter': Powerful exhibition spotlights artists with experience of insecure housing

'It's an emergency': Why artist Stuart Semple is giving £30k of art supplies to 50 schools in one day
Artist Stuart Semple
Art

'It's an emergency': Why artist Stuart Semple is giving £30k of art supplies to 50 schools in one day

Connections are the art of the matter
Big Issue vendor Dave Martin creating abstract artwork at a table, surrounded by examples of his colourful geometric prints. Beside him is an illustration of a person using a smartphone for contactless payment, symbolising digital inclusion, with logos for giffgaff and Big Issue Group and the tagline ‘Connecting people to their potential’.
Advertorial

Connections are the art of the matter

10Foot, Tox and Fume's art exhibition shut down after 'f**k the King' graffiti
Graffiti

10Foot, Tox and Fume's art exhibition shut down after 'f**k the King' graffiti

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know

Support our vendors with a subscription

For each subscription to the magazine, we’ll provide a vendor with a reusable water bottle, making it easier for them to access cold water on hot days.