Graffiti artist Solo One

Solo-One. Solo, as he's known, is a graffiti writer in his late thirties who has tended to the estate for years.

Solo has been painting graffiti around the world for decades. His style is easy to recognise among other pieces because of his distinctive lines and unique colours. Solo paints without a plan because he says "freestyle is the purest form of art". He even mixes his own paints to make "colours you can't buy".

Solo checks the Stockwell Park Estate every day and actively paints over tags (stylised signatures) to maintain the high quality of the art. With the help of other artists such as Bonzai and Lovepusher, and paints donated by friends, Solo has turned a rundown playground into a unique jewel unknown to most of London.

Asked why he removes tags, he said it was the only way to stop the ball court from "descending into madness." So what makes the grade?

"Sacrifice is important. If a piece has taken only 20 minutes I know the artist's heart wasn't in it," adding: "If it's not good, the walls are better off plain." Artists can spend up to eight hours a day in the ball court. During summer you can find artists such as Solo in the ball court from first light, painting away from the drone of traffic.

Residents often come down and comment. Solo is keen to see the trend continue and experienced artists often help out local children: "This is a safe place for kids to learn how to paint and to start to understand the level of commitment it takes to be a good [graffiti] writer." Stockwell Park has come through some of the worst sorts of problems that affect inner-city estates but Solo doesn't believe shielding children inside is the answer. "Kids need to be outdoors," he says.