COLOURS OF FOREST GATE
The Project will deliver at least three murals in Forest Gate including at Wanstead Park Station Bridge aligned with an ambition to identify feasible sites for additional murals and work with local artists to develop them, highlighting the history and identity of Forest Gate to brighten and make the area more attractive to the locals and visitors.
The mural designs will be developed through a community co-design process including multiple in-person workshops and drop-in sessions as well as these online project pages here including the details of the project and providing residents with an opportunity to engage in the discussions online.
The project aims to address recommendations in Newham High Streets Strategy: ‘Colours of Forest Gate’, ‘Welcome to Forest Gate’ and ‘Bright Alleyways’.
The final mural designs will be developed through a community co-design process which will involve public consultation on the shortlisted mural proposals. The preferred option for each mural is to be revised to create final mural designs through collaboration between the local creative collaborators and the mural company.
Your opinion on the mural designs is important. Do you have any further ideas or want to comment on the proposed designs, please see the timeline at the bottom of the page for details on how to share your thoughts at each project stage.
If you have any queries about the project or wanted to get in touch more generally, please email NewhamHighStreets@newham.gov.uk
Phases
Installation
The installation of murals is planned to be completed by the end of October 2024
Please join us this Wednesday evening for the formal unveiling of our first Colours of Newham mural: ‘Jimi Hendrix at the Upper Cut Club’. As part of our delivery of the recommendations made in our High Streets Reports and Cultural Strategy: Building Newham’s Creative Future we are working to install Colours of Newham murals; co-designed by local artists with surrounding communities. The project is part of our Cultural Strategy and celebrates Newham as the beating heart of culture in London. ‘Jimi Hendrix at the Upper Cut Club’ is the first of a series called ‘Colours of Newham’. In this mural, the musical and cultural heritage of Forest Gate is celebrated, and in particular the range of musicians who played at the iconic 1960s Upper Cut Club - including Jimi Hendrix, Nina Simone, Otis Redding, Small Faces and the Who. Forest Gate is also celebrated as the home of the first ‘Rock against Racism’ gig which took place in the Princess Alice Pub in 1976. The Mural is located at the site of the historic Upper Cut Club in Forest Gate where Hendrix wrote his famous Purple Haze classic. To design and install this mural we collaborated with creatives Bud Studio and acclaimed street artist Zabou, a former Newham resident. You may have already seen the mural in place, please see the attached invite with the mural image. The formal unveiling will take place at 8 pm on Wednesday 7 August by the wall where the mural is installed at 15 Woodgrange Rd E7 8BA (Mansons Pharmacy).
‘Dr. Fothergill’s Collection’ (Final Design, artwork to be extended to the metal fence during installation)
Artist: Bec Dennison
‘‘The aim of the artwork is to share stories from history, connect past and present and encourage a deeper appreciation of our local green areas’’.
Location: side wall of property (3 Chestnut Avenue, E7 0JQ) opposite Forest Gate Youth Zone
Installation Start Date: 5 August
‘Our Table in Forest Gate’
Artist: Will Redgrove
‘‘Our Table in Forest Gate’ The wonderful array of the foods found and eaten by the community of Forest Gate, both within the local shops and within the home. ‘Our Table’ describes a communal table, full of joy and life’’. Location: Newham Food Alliance building, 38 Woodgrange Road E7 0QH
Installation Start Date: TBC
‘A Symphony of Community and Creativity’
Artist: Matilda White
‘‘This mural celebrates the friendly community spirit and diverse cultural tapestry of the neighbourhood’’. Location: Underpasses to Bridge next to Forest Gate Youth Zone, 1 Woodford Road, E7 OHD Installation Start Date: 23 September
‘Our Place’
Artist: Andy Mac Manus ‘‘The design aims to inspire and communicate a sense of pride within the community’’. Location: Wanstead Park Bridge (both sides)
Installation Date: 7 October
The last installation of the Colours of Forest Gate starts at 8 am on Monday 7 October and is expected to be completed by 14th October. There will be temporary traffic lights on Woodgrange Road
How are you affected?
The Working hours will be between 8am and 6pm however the lights will be in constant use until the artwork is completed. You may experience delays in your journey times, especially during peak hours. We recommend factoring in potential delays into your journey. Don't hesitate to get in touch with NewhamHighStreets@newham.gov.uk with any questions you may have
