John Dolan and the Dog who Transformed his Life

John Dolan was once homeless, down and out.  That was before he and his dog George found one another. Times have changed. He recently had a successful one man exhibit at London’s Howard Griffin Gallery, his book, John and George: The Dog Who changed My Life, is being published by Random House and he is preparing for an exhibition of his work in Los Angeles.

Dolan credits George, his dog, with this transformation in his life and fortunes. When George, a Staffordshire bull terrier puppy, also homeless, entered his life they became instant buddies. So much so that John was inspired to give up his life of crime, realizing that if he did another stint behind bars he would lose George.

Exploring Street Art Scene

Unfortunately I did not meet John or George when I recently explored the street art scene #streetartlondon around Brick Lane, Shoreditch and Spitalfields in London’s East End. However, one piece of Dolan’s work on the side of a building did catch my eye. I stood and just gazed at it, taking it in, before eventually photographing it. That was before I knew the story behind the artist.

The piece covers an entire brick wall and door. (Other pieces of street art can be seen on the left in the top image). It is incredibly detailed and, like most of the work on the surrounding streets, is provocative. The looming Gerkin building, part of London’s financial center, is there on the left along with other modern buildings which tower over older more traditional buildings.

Each time I look at Dolan’s piece the more I see. It is incredibly detailed and is a commentary on contemporary life.

New directions for John and George

So how did this all come about? Friends of John were moving, George would be homeless, John decided to look after George. They began hanging out along Shoreditch High Street in the heart of the buzzing international street art scene. At first John drew surrounding buildings. Then he began drawing George who sat patiently with a cup of coins in front of him. The drawings began to sell.

A break came when Dolan was commissioned to do some work for a book, Shoreditch Unbound, a limited edition showcasing East London creativity. The next leap was the show at Richard Howard-Griffin’s gallery and now he is off to LA.

When I first looked at Dolan’s piece on the street, I noticed the dog on the left side. Little did I know at the time, that this dog was was famous. I did not know he was George who changed the life of John Dolan. George the dog, who changed the life of John the artist, and unleashed so much creativity as well as a new life for both of them.

Watch John accompanied by George on You Tube:

This is the first of several posts on the vibrant, international street art scene in London’s East End I explored in London.