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

Street Art: For Brian Akpah, drawing is all about the clouds of chalk dust

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

Skull Duggery

By Brian Akpah

Brian was born in London in 1973, and grew up with foster parents. He submits his artworks via London homeless charity the 240 Project. “Drawing elates me,” he says, “I’m selfish, do what I want to do, draw from my head, from my imagination, using strong colours – red, yellow, blue. Once I start that’s it, no break, got to work, work, work. I enjoy the mess, the clouds of chalk dust, the pastels crumbling on the paper, it makes me happy.”

Brian-Akpah-Skullduggery1

For an interactive, augmented reality Street Art gallery, make sure to pick up this week’s special edition of The Big Issue

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
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

Artist Philip Colbert: 'There’s a fascism of seriousness'
Thirty giant, surrealist lobsters interact with the Roman ruins at the Archaeological Park of Pompeii
Art

Artist Philip Colbert: 'There’s a fascism of seriousness'