Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Art

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.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

There’s more than one way to make a difference

Big Issue vendors need you more than ever this Christmas.

Recommended for you

View all
These feminist posters were radical when first created. Some are still painfully relevant today
See Red Women's Workshop posters
Beyond The Streets

These feminist posters were radical when first created. Some are still painfully relevant today

Artist Shane Record: 'I paint portraits of people facing homelessness to give them visibility'
Painting of Clive in Folkestone
Art

Artist Shane Record: 'I paint portraits of people facing homelessness to give them visibility'

Mr Skelly artist Christian Watson: 'I had a pretty rough childhood. I felt wronged by the world'
Mr Skelly artwork.
Art

Mr Skelly artist Christian Watson: 'I had a pretty rough childhood. I felt wronged by the world'

See the protest art hitting London's streets to mark Big Issue's 35th birthday
Paste Present Future asked notable protest artists: what is your big issue?
Art

See the protest art hitting London's streets to mark Big Issue's 35th birthday