Let’s face it — few things scream “East London energy” quite like a renegade poster slapped on a brick wall at 2am. This October, The Art of Flying takes that underground magic, flings it out of the shadows, and gives it the gallery treatment — with a screen-printing squeegee in hand.
From 31st October to 4th November, The Art of Flying will transform 1 Quaker Street, Shoreditch, into a multi-room love letter to the rebel world of fly-posting — the gritty, subversive, street-level art form that’s long been the unofficial voice of London’s undercurrent.
And guess what? It’s completely free. Because true street culture doesn’t come with a ticket price.
A Cultural Flashback Worth Pasting to Your Calendar
Forget polished exhibitions and hushed halls. The Art of Flying is messy, loud, and gloriously defiant — much like the urban movement it honours. Born from an oral history project spotlighting UK fly-posters between 1973 and 1993, this immersive event isn’t just a retrospective. It’s a riotous celebration of voices that painted pavements with protest, playfulness, and pure punk energy.
This isn’t a passive, look-don’t-touch kind of show. Instead, it invites you to dive hands-first into the inky world of urban poster art — with live talks, archival footage, oral histories, and a free public screen printing workshop (yes, really).
→ If you love immersive culture experiences, check out our guide to the Best things to do in Shoreditch
Inside The Art of Flying: Three Spaces, One Subculture
Spread across three unique venues — The Sandbox, The CarWash, and The Platform — the exhibition showcases how fly-posting was (and is) more than just a rogue way to flog a gig or shout about politics.
Expect layered experiences:
Photographic histories that show fly-posting in its natural chaotic habitat.
Soundscapes and interviews from those who did it (and dodged security doing it).
Interactive posters you can print, paste, and maybe even pilfer (we won’t tell).
And yes — Jealous Gallery is on hand for the screen printing sessions across the weekend of 1st and 2nd November. Come roll up your sleeves and press your own reimagined Atelier Populaire poster — before pasting it on a wall like it’s 1982.
Screen Printing, Talks & Radical Conversations – The Weekend Lineup
If you’re the sort who likes your Sundays with a side of subversion, The Art of Flying has you covered. On Sunday 2nd November, things kick off with a day of Lunchtime Talks from artists, curators and cultural mischief-makers.
2 November: Lunchtime Talks Line-Up
Catherine Flood (V&A) explores the poster as a tool of public space rebellion.
Kennardphillipps get emotional about Parliament and protest.
Mark Titchner walks us through text-based public art and why words on a wall still matter.
And to top it all off? A free screen printing workshop in the courtyard hosted by Jealous Gallery, followed by a panel discussion on the continued relevance of fly-posting.
We’re not saying you’ll leave a full-time activist, but don’t be surprised if you find yourself scoping the nearest lamppost for your next visual mic drop.
Why Now? Because Fly-Posting Never Really Left
In an age of digital noise, something as analogue and tactile as a fly-posted image feels revolutionary. It disrupts space. It demands attention. And it says more with paste and paper than most TikToks do with 100 filters.
The Art of Flying isn’t just nostalgia — it’s a statement. The stories are oral, but their legacy is visual, public, and very much alive in Shoreditch’s creative bloodstream.
And let’s be honest — when was the last time an art event made you want to pick up a brush, slap glue on the back of your protest, and get out on the streets?
How to Visit
You’ll find The Art of Flying at 1 Quaker Street, Shoreditch, E1 6SZ — just a graffiti-tag’s throw from Brick Lane. Entry is free, but if you want to attend the Lunchtime Talks and Jealous Gallery screen-printing workshop on Sunday 2nd, you’ll need to grab a free ticket via Eventbrite here.
Opening Hours:
31 Oct, 3 & 4 Nov: 11:00–19:00 – Open to public
1 Nov: 11:00–17:00 – Free screen printing workshop
2 Nov: 10:30–17:00 – Talks, workshop, and live screen printing
Whether you’re an artist, activist, screen printer, sticker bomber, or just curious where culture gets its teeth, The Art of Flying is your kind of chaos.
Grab a mate. Print a poster. Make your mark.