Alo street art. London portraits 2015
[post updated with 3 new works 9th August 2015 and 2 further new works on 14th August 2015]
The artist Alo loves to paint his portraits in the hidden corners of London’s streets. In amongst the scrawl of some old graffiti or on a narrow strip of wall, you can spot his dazzling portraiture.
Its been a year since his solo show at the Saatchi gallery in August 2014 when I saw 40 of portraits en masse. [I blogged previously his work and the show in this post Alo portrait artist. ] Up until the Saatchi show, I had spotted a few portraits on the streets around East London but I hadn’t truly appreciated his talent. Seeing so many faces at once, all depicted in his unique style but looking so real and individual, was breath taking. And since then, I’ve become an Alo hunter on the streets of London.
This post covers the 14 new pieces that I’ve spotted in 2015. I may have missed the odd one and hopefully, there may be more to come this year.
I spotted this first painting back in February on rare winter walk. Indeed, it may even be an older portrait from last summer.
Portrait by Alo. London (photographed Feb 16 2015)
I love the golden ochre background to the painting which compliments the sumptuous purple wall.
Portrait by Alo, London 2015 (photographed 27 February 2015)
When I took this photograph in April, I wasn’t sure if this was new or not. It is an older portrait but I love the whole photograph and as you read on, you will see why I’ve included this shot.
Portrait by Alo from 2014 or earlier. London (photographed on 17th April 2015)
When I was compiling pictures for this post, I remembered this shot that I took back in April. My eye was caught by the woman on her phone and the colourful design of the tree. But notice the slip of dull grey wall to the right.
A few weeks later, and that dull strip was wall was now dressed in this colourful portrait.
Portrait by Alo London (photographed 17th May 2015)
Since April and during May and June, Alo has been busy putting up some wonderful new portraits. I was excited to spot some new faces and colour schemes which reflect the changing population around Shoreditch and Brick Lane, the area where his work can be found.
Portratit by Alo. London 2015 (photographed 17 May 2015)
The man in green was recently replaced by this neapolitan colour combination. (that’s a reference to neapolitan ice cream which comes in 3 flavours)
Portrait by Alo (photographed 9th August 2015)
When I first spotted this woman in yellow (picture below), I was too nervous to ask the gentlemen to move whilst I took a photograph. But I love this shot because it looks like the woman is eavesdropping on their conversation.
Portrait by Alo. London 2015 (photographed 5th June 2015)
Portrait by Alo. London 2015 (photographed 12th June 2015)
Portrait by Alo. London 2015 (photographed 19th June 2015)
Portrait by Alo. London 2015. (photographed 12th June 2015)
There were two versions of the red lady on this spot. One which went up around April. And it was repainted to this preferred painting in July.
Portrait by Alo. London 2015. (photographed 17th July 2015)
Portrait by Alo. London 2015. (photographed 17th July 2015)
Portrait by Alo. London 2015. (photographed 7th July 2015)
Portrait by Alo. London 2015. (photographed 14th June 2015)
In August this young woman was replaced with this new portrait below.
Portrait by Alo. London 2015. (photographed 13th August 2015)
Portrait by Alo. London 2015. (photographed 17th July 2015)
This Alo portrait is the same but since I snapped it back in April, the shop front had a make over and carefully preserved the painting.
Portrait by Alo. London 2015. (photographed 17th July 2015)
Portrait by Alo. London 2015. (photographed 21st July 2015)
Portrait by Alo. London 2015. Alternate view from shot above. (photographed 7th July 2015)
Portrait by Alo London 2015 (photographed 9th August 2015)
Portrait by Alo London 2015 (photographed 9th August 2015)
Portrait by Alo London 2015 (photographed 13th August 2015)
The smallest Alo portrait I’ve ever spotted.
Portrait by Alo. London 2015. (photographed 21st July 2015)
I’ve ended this selection of portraits on the same wall that I started on. By the summer 2015, the white lady had been replaced by the blue one.
Portrait by Alo. London 2015. (photographed 17th July 2015)
In respect of the artist Alo’s wishes, I haven’t posted precisely where each painting is because he hopes people will enjoying hunting for them. All works still there at time of posting. Keep your eyes peeled for these and other works. Thanks Alo for such a great summer spotting your beautiful work.
"Notice what you notice..." 
I love all of these Tanya… Quite a few I have never seen. A really lovely collection of well taken photos indeed and such a joy to read your thoughts….
Thanks Mitch. Its been great to see so many new colours and faces from Alo this year. And glad you like my thoughts. I can’t pretend to be an expert so I thought the personal view works best.
Your thoughts flow very well and are soooo much more engaging… I hope Alo will keep painting more gems on the streets.
Me too. I sent him the blog link. I’m sure he will. btw. Did you know he also paints giant interior portraits as well as work on canvas. ?
Well that’s a new one on me!!!
These are just fabulous – really improving the surroundings.
Really delighted that you love Alo’s work. He’s one of my fav artists. Do you have any street art in Southampton?
A lovely post, we have seen most of these pieces and you have presented them so well. We love how you include the date in which you photographed each work, it really adds a sense of historical context to the transient nature of Street Art.
I think that’s why I started doing it. Takes time but I too thinks it worth. And good that you’ve spotted them too. He asked me not to say where they are, so you get the fun of hunting for them.