Heroes or Vandals?

The Big Smoke

Welcome to The Big Smoke Variety Show! In this episode, “Heroes or Vandals?”, we’re taking you deep into the world of graffiti, urban art, and creative expression. Right now it seems there's a new Banksy popping up on every corner, so our timing couldn't be better!

Featuring in this episode is Madeleine Pelling, cultural historian and co-host of History Hit’s After Dark. She’ll be discussing her new book 'Writing on the Wall: Graffiti, Rebellion and the Making of Eighteenth-Century Britain', offering a fresh look at how graffiti has shaped the course of history. Alongside her, we welcome Gary Means, founder of Alternative London and one of the UK’s leading experts on street art. He’ll share stories of modern graffiti and its role in representing the voices of the unheard, as well as its connection to the cultural diversity of East London.

But that’s not all! For an extra dose of humor, we’re bringing in Mark Silcox, the hilarious stand-up comedian, science teacher, and ping-pong player.

Whether you’re a fan of Banksy or just curious about the political and social meanings behind street art, this episode is packed with insights, laughter, and surprises.

If you'd like to see some of the work mentioned in this episode, visit @perspicereartist

And if you'd like to listen to Gary's podcast episode with Jay Kaes you can find that here

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