In the Streets of Istanbul

As some of you may know, my career in sexual health was born from my deep and vested interest in creative forms of communication – particularly around subjects that are considered taboo or difficult to discuss openly. One of my most profound learning experiences occurred during two courses I took while in undergrad at NYU. Through my studies in Radical Street Performance and Community Based Arts, my love of culture, art and honest communication were synthesized. Nothing could have helped to prepare me more for the work that I do now…

So this blog post is an homage to my roots: some of my favorite street art and street scenes from our time in Istanbul earlier this year, littered with a few legendary quotes from Banksy.

Layers of spray paint

“Graffiti is one of the few tools you have if you have almost nothing.
And even if you don’t come up with a picture to cure world poverty, you can make someone smile while they’re having a p*ss.”

Blank stare

Outside of an antique store in Taxim

Pink Cheetah

La Nuit Passee

“There are four basic human needs; food, sleep, sex and revenge.”

Little boy

Bunny-eared couple

Dog in an armchair

Little lambs

Cat on a pillow

The Gossip Owl

“Some people become vandals because
they want to make the world a better looking place.“

The musician and the mural

Pomegranate drinks…

… by the Pomegranate guy!

Tram sandwich

Salvador Dali

Up stairs in Taxim

Critical Mass Istanbul

Everyone looking at Adrian, looking at the prop store

Pizza cat

In February 2007, the owners of a house with a Banksy mural on the side in Bristol decided to sell the house through Red Propeller art gallery after offers fell through because the prospective buyers wanted to remove the mural.
It is listed as a mural that comes with a house attached.