Tree Of Life by Anna Jaxe in London

I am a stencil artist who is inspired by people. What drives me as a street artist is painting portraits on the street, these are usually life size, and created with layered stencils. I have always felt like an outsider in the 'art world' and taking my work to the street felt like the perfect solution. Growing up around the pockets of wealth and poverty that litter Greater London, I am influenced by the movements in pop culture where people fight against the constraints of social constructs. My work often focuses on the accessibility of pop culture, and how it blurs those divisions. Alongside other things, I am currently working on 'The Queer Visibility Project' which I started in late 2019. This is a series of portraits of queer icons who have used or are using their status and/or platform to call attention to important issues by sharing experiences in the media. The best thing about painting on the street is meeting and having conversations with people while I work and, in the aftermath, seeing people engage with the finished piece. Of all the work I have produced in my life, the portraits are always what people have been drawn to most. I believe this is because it is the most human thing, to crave connection with others. People are curious, empathetic and they empower. People are all we have.