Supported by: Mayor of London, Murgitroyd Foundation, London Catalyst, Peabody, Ryman, Maple People, Wood Street Walls, and Brewers Decorators.
The Brief
Tower Hamlets has a deep community spirit, but over the past year opportunities for people to celebrate and share that spirit together have disappeared. Our project built on the success of Sundial Community Centre’s oversubscribed art classes through collaboration and co-creation of a large unique mural design that celebrated the character of and rejuvenated the area.
After successfully gaining backers via crowdfunding and The Mayor Of London team, we were ready to begin.
Participants came from different backgrounds and had different needs. We partnered with several organisations and charities including:
-
Down Right Excellent (DEx) - Enabling young people with Down syndrome
-
Daycare - Residents with Dementia
-
East London Cares - Bringing older and younger people together
-
LinkAge plus - Innovative project for people over 50 living in Tower Hamlets
-
Mental health patients
The Process
Given the challenge of covid distancing requirements, we organised and ran workshops for 8 participants at a time in the run-up to the mural painting.
With 6 full-day workshops between June and July 2021, the participants worked from the beginning. From learning about colour and pattern theory, creating their own moodboards, and then being in charge of their own designated part of the mural.
Rose worked closely with the participants to design their own squares, creating their own patterns - and complimentary colours that would most resemble themselves and their community.
"I’m delighted we were able to help make this project happen with support from City Hall. This beautiful new mural is a fantastic example of community-led art and celebrates the community spirit in Tower Hamlets. Local people from all backgrounds have come together to create this piece, and, and it is yet another example of how culture unites us and makes our public spaces so special.”
Justine Simons OBE,
Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries
The Outcome
The mural painting sessions ran between September and October, We partnered with Peabody, residents, and community groups to create a 25 x 8 meter community mural on the Sundial Community Centre in Tower Hamlets.
We supported participants in painting parts of the mural, whilst carefully managing health and safety, safeguarding, and risk assessments for the project.
The painting wrapped up in October, followed by an exciting unveiling event on 12th October 2021. The artwork was community-driven with participants actively involved in shaping the design, and we ensured that the final mural reflected this.
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.
Justina Albert is a fan of bright and cheerful colours, and after learning abou them at the workshop - Justina wanted to find fun ways to incorporate colour theory on to the mural.
“I loved the project because it was something different, it was something new, it's something I’ve never done before. I enjoyed taking part in the shapes and colours and helping Rose to develop the whole mural.” - Justina Albert
After selecting some of her favourite colours, Joy Godsell designed specific parts of the mural using repetitive patterns that she had learned during the workshops.
"I was invited to help with this art creation, I was sceptical at first, but I’ve so enjoyed it"- Joy Godsell
Megan Scarty designed two opposing patterns for the mural. The first geometric design symbolised Megan's more negative feelings, whereas the design of the bubble symbolised a lighter, happier side of life.
Flava was really into cut-out art inspired by Henri Matisse after one of our workshops she attended. She took that style and made it her own, coming up with three designs for the mural.
"I am so happy and grateful to be part of this course! Our Instructor Rose is so friendly, she makes all of us feel welcome and heard since day one. Working our creative abilities is very therapeutic, and a good exercise for a healthy mind. Creating together with the group brings a wonderful atmosphere of collaboration and a great sense of community. Many, many thanks for this opportunity!"
Flávia Santos
"Rose is an incredible artist and I gained more than I could have imagined by attending these workshops. It felt incredible to be included in designing the mural along with other participants as it gave me a huge sense of belonging, a place of safety, and something positive that I could mindfully engage in each week. I’m incredibly grateful to have participated in this workshop as it had so many positive impacts on my mental health symptoms and also gave me an opportunity to feel like I was contributing to the community." Megan Scarty
Ruth Finegan designed the following patterns for the mural - to signify repeating patterns that she learned about during the workshop..
Philomena Ting designed these fun and repeat style patterns for the mural.
Margaret loved learning about the positive-negative design during our workshops. After going on a trip to Margate, Margaret wanted to incorporate some of the location and the design skill on to the mural.
Pamela learned about the repeating dot pattern during our workshops and wanted to add these to the mural.
“I would like to say that Rose has done an amazing job with this Mural and it really proves how hardworking she is as she managed to complete it within a matter of weeks, it looks astonishing and we all love it and I believe that it will leave a great legacy on the area as it really makes our centre stand out and I have witnessed passer-by’s gazing at the mural and taking pictures of it. Once again proving how amazing it is so thank you Rose for all your hard work”.
Mazeda, Dementia Support Worker