Public art stays rooted in Stoke Newington

Public art decorating the side of the house owned by Martha and Tyrone Silcott, Kyverdale Road N16

Young people from Hackney have painted a stunning new piece of public art in Stoke Newington.

The mammoth piece on the side of the house owned by Stoke Newington residents Martha and Tyrone Silcott stands at 15 metres high and 10 metres wide and was completed in just over a week.

It has been well received by many local residents well as the home owners themselves.

The Silcotts invited youth charity SkyWay to run a street art programme – using the side of their Stoke Newington home.

They had previous noticed how SkyWay street art programmes have restored previously derelict public spaces around London and have got young people interested in creating their own artworks.

Home owner Martha Silcott said, “Having read about SkyWay and the work they do educating and channelling young people’s potential in such a positive and focused way, I felt that my wall would be the perfect canvas for them to combine accomplished artists and inexperienced youngsters.

“The result is a collaborative piece of art that everyone could feel proud of. I feel that is what I have on the wall now, with so many positive comments from neighbours and strangers alike; it has the ‘feel good factor’.”

SkyWay staff and a team of volunteers began by prepping and painting the wall before the young Hackney street artists began transforming the once blank wall.

The final piece depicts a tree – similar to those that line Kyverdale Road – according to the different seasons, with part of the canopy in full bloom and other parts portraying autumnal colours and falling leaves.

Either side of the tree is a street scene resembling Kyverdale Road and an abstract river scene with a city landscape in the background.  All of this sits on top of a layer of soil with the roots of the tree running into and spelling out: ‘Stay Rooted’ – a joint message from the young people, the artists and the Silcotts.

Daniel Smallwood, SkyWay Street Art Project Manager, says “This was SkyWay’s biggest ever street art programme to date and we’re very proud of the final piece and with how well it has been received by local residents – some of whom have already approached us to deliver another programme in the area in the New Year.”

SkyWay street art programmes aim to engage young people aged 13 – 19 years and offer them opportunities to express themselves creatively.  Programmes are run throughout the year with the next one to be delivered in January.

For more details contact Danny Smallwood on 020 7729 6970 or danny@skyway.uk.com.