Banksy Tunnel

Banksy Tunnel, more formally known as Leake Street Arches, is a 300 m (984 ft) tunnel that runs underneath the platforms and tracks of Waterloo railway station. Although graffiti is illegal in UK, the underground arches have become a hub of urban street art and creativity. The walls were first decorated in 2008 when the internationally famous graffiti artist Banksy organized the “Cans Festival”. His aim was to "transform a dark forgotten filth pit" into "an oasis of beautiful art". Whilst most of the original exhibition has now disappeared, Banksy’s wish for the tunnel to remain a canvas for contemporary street art has remained. Banksy’s urban artwork continues to provide a satirical and darkly humourous twist to more traditional forms of visual expression. In 2020, his 'Painting for Saints' was gifted to the NHS to support Coronavirus organisations and charities. It fetched over £16.8 million pounds when it was sold in March 2021, confirming that this type of modern art is now considered as valuable as more conventional forms of artwork. Music by ’Eaters’ - ’Battle Harder B*stard Rhymes’ from their black vinyl album ’The Astronomers Office’.