British Street Artist & Typographer
Ben Eine is a British street artist and typographer known for his iconic letterforms and large-scale urban murals. Internationally exhibited and famously collected by President Obama, his work blends street culture with fine art.
Biography
Ben Eine (b. 1970, London) is one of the world’s most acclaimed street artists, celebrated for transforming typographic lettering into vibrant urban art. Emerging from London’s graffiti scene in the 1980s, Eine developed his distinctive style through bold, colorful letters painted across shutters, walls, and public spaces. His iconic “Alphabet” murals have since become fixtures of cities worldwide, from London to Los Angeles, Tokyo, and San Francisco.
Eine rose to global prominence in 2010 when British Prime Minister David Cameron presented one of his works to President Barack Obama, cementing his position as a leading figure in contemporary street art. His career is also closely tied to his collaboration with Banksy, with whom he co-ran the influential Pictures on Walls (POW) print shop, producing editions for Banksy and other urban artists.
Today, Eine’s practice bridges street and gallery spaces. His canvases and prints showcase the same bold typographic energy as his murals, exploring language, emotion, and social messaging. His works are held in prestigious collections worldwide, including the V&A Museum in London, The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, and The Urban Nation Museum in Berlin.
Education
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Self-taught street artist, emerging from London’s graffiti scene in the 1980s
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Co-founder of Pictures on Walls (POW) print shop with Banksy, London
Exhibitions
Solo Exhibitions
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2021 – Everything Starts Somewhere, Vertical Gallery, Chicago, IL
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2019 – Loud & Clear, StolenSpace Gallery, London, UK
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2017 – Lost for Words, StolenSpace Gallery, London, UK
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2015 – Your Not My Type, StolenSpace Gallery, London, UK
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2013 – Heartfelt, White Walls Gallery, San Francisco, CA
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2012 – Alphabet Street, White Walls Gallery, San Francisco, CA
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2010 – Change, White Walls Gallery, San Francisco, CA
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2008 – Great Western, Great Western Studios, London, UK
Art Fairs
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Art Basel Miami, Miami, FL
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Scope Art Fair, New York, NY & Miami, FL
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Urban Art Fair, Paris, France
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Affordable Art Fair, London, UK
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Moniker Art Fair, London, UK
Group Exhibitions
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2022 – Global Street Art Perspectives, Los Angeles, CA
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2019 – Urban Masters Revisited, Urban Nation Museum, Berlin, Germany
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2015 – Letters & Symbols in Urban Art, Berlin, Germany
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2013 – Writing’s on the Wall, London, UK
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2010 – Art in the Streets, Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Los Angeles, CA
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2008 – Cans Festival, London, UK
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2004–2007 – Multiple collective exhibitions in London, Paris, Stockholm, and Tokyo
Awards & Recognition
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2010 – Artwork presented to President Barack Obama by UK Prime Minister David Cameron
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Works in permanent collections:
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Victoria & Albert Museum, London
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Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles
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Urban Nation Museum, Berlin
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Recognized globally as one of the most influential living street artists
Press & Media
Selected Articles & Features
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The Guardian – “Ben Eine: From Graffiti to Galleries” (2021)
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BBC – “Street Artist Ben Eine on the Power of Letters” (2019)
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CNN – “Obama’s Gift: Street Art Meets Global Politics” (2010)
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Los Angeles Times – “Urban Letters Take Center Stage in LA” (2012)
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Artnet – Artist Biography & Market Insights
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Artsy – Full CV & Auction Results
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Juxtapoz – “Ben Eine’s Loud & Clear Typographic Murals” (2019)
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Wallpaper – “The Art of Typography in the Streets” (2015)
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Time Out London – Feature on East End Street Art Scene
Media & Documentaries
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Featured in Banksy and the Rise of Outlaw Art (2018)
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Coverage in Street Art News and Widewalls (2015–2023)
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Interviews in Design Week and Creative Review on typography and public art