Since 2009 street artist Christiaan Nagel has placed over a hundred giant mushrooms on derelict rooftops around the London's East End to be enjoyed and photographed by passers-by.

He is one of a growing band of painters, stencilers and sculptors bringing vibrancy to the recession-tattered streets of Britain.

Unauthorized art in public places is booming in austerity Britain, as public funding dries up, businesses struggle and economic uncertainty hits collectors' pocketbooks.

(READ the story from CBS News)

Photo from Ten Contemporary Public Artworks via Paul's Art World blog