User offline: Trust icon

Banksy isn't the only street artist keeping his identity under wraps - South East London street artist Trust Icon's identity also remains unknown, but since 2009 his works have emerged on the streets of London and beyond to great acclaim.

Walking to work this morning I spotted a new addition to Queen's Park station's street art spot...I've had my eye on it for a while waiting for something snap-worthy. Today was the day!

The question is, what is he trying to say with his new work?


Trust Icon is renowned for works which have some form of social commentary, and it was clear from commuter's reactions this morning that this piece got the cogs turning.

At first glance it's pretty straight-forward what the piece is saying : User Offline. But I was keen to see what people thought about it, so I asked around. Here are a few interpretations...

‘The online world is more real than the real offline world'

‘You don't fully exist in the eyes of the world is you're not online'

‘In real world terms it should be the other way around - if you're offline you're more present'

‘The woman is unavailable, the man is available'

‘The woman isn't 'switched on', the man is'

‘The woman has deleted her dating profile - the guy is still looking'

‘The connection isn't there between them - their body language is negative - they're both holding back, hands behind their backs, with lots of space between them'

...And on it goes! What is your take on the new piece?

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