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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Lola Christina Alao

Brick Lane’s Chinese graffiti conflict explained

Brick Lane is known for its vibrance, lively markets, and public space art. But this week, it sees itself at the centre of a graffiti war between supporters and opponents of China’s Communist Party (CCP).

When online videos showed a group of artists spray-painting political slogans in big red Chinese characters on a nearly 100m long wall on Brick Lane on Saturday, it provoked debate over whether they count as street art — and the relationship between freedom of expression and political propaganda.

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