This is the second mural project by the Second Course Students. It was completed at the end of September 2021 in Chinbrook Meadows. The participatory process involved over 30 local residents and 12 students. After our fare share of struggle, we came up with a quirky and original concept: to paint a bridge inside a tunnel. From Left to right: Patricio Forrester, Shauna Blanchfield, Nadina Ali, Esin Bjorg, Alicia Alfonso, Sion Knight,
This idea of a bride inside a tunnel adapted really well to the curves of the structure. Our painted arches resonated with the curves on both entrances and the top curves separated the painted surfaces from an area we left unpainted after consultation with local residents. We were helped in the painting process by local residents as well as prospectus students who were invited so we could see how they performed during the physically demanding sessions.
After the long shift, you can see how energised the students were. By the time this photo was taken, we had spent 2 weeks painting with no less that 7 painters at any one day. You can see how much detail and color variation we had managed to build on the painted surface. From Left to right: Esin Bjorg, Sophia Connell, local resident Tim, Nadina Ali, Alicia Alfonso and Emma Barnie.
The arches also helped provide some rhythm as pedestrians walk along the tunnel, dividing the long length of it to make it more entertaining.
Students and prospectus student mingling: Eli King, Sophia Connel, Esin Borg & Lucia Segura.
Inside the arches, we went with bright spring colors see at a distance to include the horizon
Brush work detail inside the arches with the horizon providing continuity between them.
Students Barnie & Alicia painting along two visiting volunteers
“Brilliant – makes the tunnel feel friendlier and safer! said a local resident.
The mural integrates itself to the landscape while adding something unusual.
The back of the tickets was a space for individual freedom and folding gave us a 3D effect
Painting seven nightshifts in Euston Station brought the team together. From left to right: PF, Shauna Blanchfield, Nadina Ali, Esin Bjorg, Alicia Alfonso, Sion Knight and Hanne Aarthun
To ensure a good mix in the final design, we asked one student develop a ticket idea and then others to folded them. This allowed the team to have an even sense of ownership.
This was what Euston Station looked like 4.30 am at the end of our shift!
The side where people come out of the Underground. Breath Out! and We Stan Euston
Detail of two of the tickets
Welcome Home - one of two final projects from the First Course Students completed in April 2021. We set up to work on the theme of Migration and engaged an external group of Lewisham residents to develop a concept. We led the process with 12 participants in total - six students and 6 participants. At one point we realised we had to find a way to make the subject matter lighter, so we started to think about how would the Advertising Industry ´sell´ Migration. This is when we stumbled across an original idea: That we could take a holiday from our own prejudice.
Once we started we realised we needed to take all the space to the right of the photo
We wanted to ensure that the shoes did not look like adversiting so we took used pairs and improvised there and then
The Completion Shot: (left to right) Vero, Imelda, Ellen, Jo, Al, Daisy (back) Laura and Patricio
GLA funded the Van Mural. Here, at the end of our first LSOM mural - The River Shrine Tunnel From left to right: Ellen Rose, Imelda Cox, Liv Wright, Patricio Forrester, Any Dolan, Jo Baker and Rizwan Mirza
An important aspect of what we teach is engaging others in the process of creation. So for this mural we worked with the Healthy Rivers Project. This process happened during the first lockdown so we meet online. One of the things we really wanted to get right was how to make the most of the tunnel´s potential. Since people a literally walking into the canvas and more specifically under it...we came up with the idea of seeing the river as if a person was lying on the river bed looking up... then suddenly a Kingfisher irrupts into the serene scene.
Amy Dolan working out what next
You can get a real sense of the painted arch on this shot. We were trying to render light on the surface of the water, seen from inside the river!
A happy moment in the development of our School of Muralism. The first course were finishing on a very uplifting mood and the second course were still full of excitement to join.
Happy faces after completing the mural at the end of March 2021.
RIVER SHRINE TUNNEL on the reverse side. The mural is located in Lewisham Central and you can find it on Google Maps
