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Before & After

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Copy of Co-Creative Connection Painting
This is a group 7 students aged 14-15 with 3 adults. They are standing together as a group holding up moodboards from a Co-Creative Connection Community Mural Project workshop supported by GTR & Arsenal. Finsbury Park, Islington & Hackney 2023/2024
Rose Hill is teaching a group of 14's sat at a table, they are creating moodboards for a Co-Creative Connection Community Mural Project workshop supported by GTR & Arsenal. Finsbury Park, Islington & Hackney 2023/2024.

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The Brief

 

We collaborated with Thameslink, Great Northern and Arsenal Hub to create three engaging workshops in December 2023. The participants were young people aged between 14 and 15 years from City of London Academy Highbury Grove.

The mural was installed and painted during the night over 4 nights at Finsbury Park Station in March 2024. Our mural reflects the community's ideas, enhancing the experience for station users with vibrant public artwork.

Created with a durable vinyl and featuring a painted section, the co-designed mural spans an impressive 11 meters by 2.5 meters, accompanied by an additional 2.5 meter by 2.5 meter section. This vibrant artwork is a powerful reminder to all Finsbury Park Station visitors about the community's remarkable achievements.

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Supported by: Thameslink and Great Northern & Arsenal Football Club​

Islington Gazette

“It has been fantastic to see the passion that young people have in the community. The mural project is a way we can bring that passion to life and show their creativity beyond the football pitch.”

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“This project, engaging students from City of London Academy and led by artist Rose Hill, is set to bring a new artistic flair to the station, reflecting the community’s spirit and creativity.”

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“With Rose’s creative leadership, Arsenal’s invaluable local relationships and practical support, and our young artists’ enthusiasm and commitment, we’re working together to provide Finsbury Park with a public artwork that will truly enrich the community our station serves.”

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The Process

The creative workshops took place on December 7th, 15th, and 21st, 2023 and a Final Workshop took place on the 3rd April. They offered an inclusive platform for participants to express creativity, involving activities like exploring mood boards, learning about colour theory, creating patterns, and co-designing. In these sessions, participants tapped into their creativity, directly contributing to their community's visual identity.

During the final workshop, these fantastic ideas were consolidated through co-designing the mural. Participants led the design of sections in the final mural, gaining ownership over the patterns, colours, and shapes they want to incorporate.

A man is sitting at a table listening to Rose Hill teaching about pattern designs for a Co-Creative Connection Community Mural Project workshop supported by GTR & Arsenal. Finsbury Park, Islington & Hackney 2023/2024.
A group of 5 students are gathered round a table with Rose Hill. They're selecting colour shades for a Co-Creative Connection Community Mural Project workshop supported by GTR & Arsenal. Finsbury Park, Islington & Hackney 2023/2024.
Copy of Co-Creative Connection Painting Night 4. Mural Arsenal & GTR.jpg
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“Our first workshop at the Arsenal hub showed incredible creativity. The enthusiasm and discussions sparking excitement about where their creativity will lead with the final mural.”

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"We're pleased to come together with GTR and Co-Creative Connection on this social action project, and it's been fantastic to see the passion that young people have for our local community."

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"Arsenal football club and Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) have teamed up with community art organisation Co-Creative Connection to launch a series of art workshops in which local young people will design a mural for Finsbury Park station."

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Copy of Co-Creative Connection Unveiling. Rose discussing mural Arsenal & GTR.jpg

The Outcome

The mural at Finsbury Park Station stands as a vibrant testament to the diversity of the community, drawing inspiration from the life experiences of the 14-15 year olds. Cultural motifs from various backgrounds intertwine seamlessly, showcasing the rich tapestry of traditions within the community. The project was showcased in the official Arsenal program on the 3rd of April 2024.

Participants used skills acquired from our workshops and collaborated to create designs that authentically reflected their community. The core themes of these designs encompass Ghanaian, Jamaican, and contemporary global issues. The mural serves as a reflection of the thoughts and ideas of the younger generation, symbolising the friendships and connections strengthened throughout this project.  

Additionally, we've incorporated elements of the LGBTQ2IA+ flag to represent the commitment to inclusivity and representation.

About The Design

 

Learn about the individuals who participated in this project and the thought process behind the design choices for each section of the mural.

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pink boarder

Ibrahim created a black and white check pattern inspired by Workshop 2 techniques. This design resonates with the Mousetrap club night aesthetic.

“My favourite part of the workshop was doing the activities with the people I know and it was fun! I'm proud of the art I made. I think it'll mean to the Finsbury Park community like we are all one and together we stronger. I personally thought it was brilliant overall .”

Blue boarder

Salim chose light grey for its neutrality, balance, and calmness, aiming to evoke sophistication and simplicity. He incorporated color blocking with yellow for positivity, purple for creativity, and black for depth. His unique diagonal stripe features a condensed chevron pattern for added visual interest.

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“Fun! Love it. It makes me feel nice and good.”

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red boarder

Ayoub incorporated yellow for joy and energy, aiming to infuse our mural with positivity. Green signifies growth and harmony, fostering a lively and balanced atmosphere in Finsbury Park's space. Ayoub designed this two-tone Chervons infusing the design with a spectrum of colours.

“My favourite part of the workshop is the overall experience. I am most proud that we got this opportunity to put this together and my work of course. I feel like this mural would just give off a better vibe for the people coming in and out of Finsbury Park via train station. I loved the experience the most about the workshop.”

pink boarder

Coach Raph celebrates his Ghanaian culture and heritage through these two vibrant pattern designs, contributing to the rich tapestry of multicultural influences within the Finsbury Park community.

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“I feel like it'll make a positive impact, especially in the community, because meaning your thoughts and your ideas can create something. And also you can base it on bringing everything that you make together. You can branch out and you can follow up and show your whole community what you've done.”

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Orange boarder

Adam's design features dark blue clouds with light blue linings, representing resilience and hope. Diagonal checks add depth, while Pollock-inspired splatters convey energy. Vibrant red and pink patterns symbolize love and warmth, creating dynamic contrasts.

“It was creative and nice and it’s good for the youth. I think it will create a more possible vibe and it’s encouraging for the kids. I liked getting to know more people”

yellow boarder

Yusuf wanted to use the Arsenal logo and made one with fabric on his mood-board in workshop 1. We translated this to wayfinding to help people find their way to the Emirates Stadium, creating a sense of direction in the community.

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“Very nice experience, proud of my artwork”

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green boarder

Andrew's design features a green polka dot, a blue-black-green chevron, and yellow checks, techniques from Workshop 2. Inspired by Finsbury Park's landscape, it includes chevrons for the pond, a packed repeat for grass, and a half-brick repeat for buildings. Yellow accents add positivity.

“The thing I most liked about the project was the fact that it got the whole community together and everybody had their own ideas for making their little square and it was great that everybody had the opportunity to express their own creativity and I like the fact that when it's put together, it looks beautiful.”

white boarder

Muaad created a blue-green polka dot stripe from Workshops 1 & 2. Warm colors were added from Workshop 1. Ibrahim and Muaad used a black and white check pattern from Workshop 2, reflecting the 60s and the Mousetrap club night. Abdullahi and Muaad designed inclusive half square triangles in various colors.

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“Favourite part was picking out the design for the mural. I'm most proud of my drawing. I think it will represent the youth of Finsbury park and Islington.”

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Blue boarder

Moyaad designed diagonal checks using his favourite colours of blue and black and wanted to include ‘FPK’ to represent Finsbury Park. Moyaad created his own unique horizontal stripe incorporating a polka dot pattern. Using striking and impactful colours of red, black, blue and orange.

“What I liked about the project was getting together with my friends and being surrounded by the community.”

red boarder

Abdullahi's design, influenced by Workshop 1, features warm to cool hues and light blue lines symbolizing trust and intelligence. Inspired by his Somali heritage, he included stars representing the Somali flag. Additionally, he created checks in pink and grey from Workshops 1 & 2, with dark blue symbolizing stability in Finsbury Park. Abdullahi also crafted a diagonal chevron pattern reflecting warm to cool hues from Workshop 1.

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“I think that when people pass, I think sometimes they make their day seeing that young people made this. It's amazing to me. The community have a brighter space and the station will be like, more colourful. ”

Orange boarder

Mohammed opted for pink to represent love, youthfulness, and playfulness, while white symbolizes purity and new beginnings. Combining these colours creates a blend of love and purity, fostering positive emotions in the community. Mohammed also created a vibrant color-block design in red and purple.

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“I enjoyed the project and making the art.”

These designs are inspired by the patterns on the Thameslink and Great Northern train seat covers, integrating them as a central element in our co-created artwork. By bringing the train seat covers to life on our canvas, we contribute to a vibrant and meaningful narrative in our collaborative creation.

This design is inspired by the patterns on the GTR train seat covers, integrating them as a central element in our co-created artwork. By bringing the GTR train seat covers to life on our canvas, we contribute to a vibrant and meaningful narrative in our collaborative creation.

The 1960s print is featured as a tribute to the iconic Mousetrap 60s club night, a longstanding monthly event held at Finsbury Park's Orleans Club for an impressive 32 years

We've integrated artwork inspired by African Art to reflect the diverse and vibrant community spirit of Finsbury Park.

We’ve incorporated an African inspired artwork to capture the multicultural essence of the Finsbury Park community.

In homage to the legendary Mousetrap 60s club night, a fixture at Finsbury Park's Orleans Club for an impressive 32 years, this lively design incorporates vibrant colours such as reds, yellows, pinks, and blues, reminiscent of the energetic and dynamic atmosphere of the iconic nights.

This Somali-inspired pattern art beautifully captures the multicultural essence of the Finsbury Park community. Many boys participating in the workshops have Somali backgrounds, adding a personal connection that enriches the representation of diverse cultures in our collaborative project.

The vibrant rainbow artwork, bursting with a spectrum of colours, symbolises diversity, inclusivity, and the beauty of unity. Each hue represents a unique facet of the community, coming together to create a harmonious and uplifting visual narrative.

We’ve incorporated an Indian inspired artwork to capture the multicultural essence of the Finsbury Park community.

This Comoros stripe design incorporates the traditional dress colours of orange, red, and yellow, reflecting the rich multicultural tapestry of the Finsbury Park community.

We've integrated artwork inspired by Indian and African cultures to reflect the diverse and vibrant community spirit of Finsbury Park.

We've integrated artwork inspired by Indian and African cultures to reflect the diverse and vibrant community spirit of Finsbury Park.

We've integrated artwork inspired by Indian and African cultures to reflect the diverse and vibrant community spirit of Finsbury Park.

In tribute to the legendary Mousetrap 60s club night held at Finsbury Park's Orleans Club for an impressive 32 years, this 1960s-inspired design features vibrant colors, including reds and whites. The red symbolizes passion and energy, while the white adds a touch of purity and elegance. The palette reflects the energetic and dynamic atmosphere reminiscent of the iconic nights.

We've integrated artwork inspired by Arabic and Art to reflect the diverse and vibrant community spirit of Finsbury Park.

This design is inspired by the patterns on the GTR train seat covers, integrating them as a central element in our co-created artwork. By bringing the GTR train seat covers to life on our canvas, we contribute to a vibrant and meaningful narrative in our collaborative creation.

We've integrated Tartan traditional Scottish designs to reflect the diverse and vibrant community spirit of Finsbury Park.

This design is inspired by the patterns on the Thameslink and Great Northern train seat covers, integrating them as a central element in our co-created artwork. By bringing the train seat covers to life on our canvas, we contribute to a vibrant and meaningful narrative in our collaborative creation.

In tribute to the legendary Mousetrap 60s club night held at Finsbury Park's Orleans Club for an impressive 32 years, this 1960s-inspired design features vibrant colours, including pink and blue. The pink exudes playfulness and warmth, while the blue adds a touch of calmness and sophistication. The palette reflects the energetic and dynamic atmosphere reminiscent of the iconic nights.

The LGBTQIA2S+ flagis a symbol of diversityand inclusion within the LGBTQ+ community. Its rainbow colours represent various sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions.The "+" acknowledges the ongoing expansion of identities and serves as a reminder of the importance of acceptance and support for all individuals regardless of their gender or sexuality.

“Favourite thing is being able to be creative alongside local young people and explore their creative potential and build, develop, collaborate with their ideas. Proud of engaging with a social action project in the busy month of December. Feel like this creates a snapshot of the multifaceted and diverse community Finsbury Park holds. Enjoyed the creative facilitation a process explored across the sessions.”

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