Redbridge Past and Future: From Woolly Mammoths to Alien Aunties
Community Mural
Overview
What?
This mural takes us on a journey through Redbridge’s history, from ancient discoveries to inventions and a glimpse into the future. The designs are a collaborative effort, brought to life by the talented hands of local artists and community members. It’s a celebration of our borough, showcasing the things we love and the stories that shaped us.
Who?
Colours of Redbridge is a community-led arts and culture program in the borough of Redbridge. It’s part of Creative People and Places (CPP), a national initiative by Arts Council England that empowers local people to shape their cultural landscape. The program supports residents, workers, and students in Redbridge to develop creative and cultural projects for everyone to enjoy.
Community Members, Ellessi Ricketts and Pippa Ashton were instrumental in the ideation and production of this mural project, working on it for several months.
To gather inspiration, they visited various groups across Redbridge, including:
- Woodlands Primary School
- Farnham Green Primary School
- The Witty Stitchers
- Pinewood Residential Care Home
- And participants of our drop-in sessions…
The illustrations were crafted by local artist Erin Aniker, and the mural was painted by artists from Matchbox CIC with the help of community members.
When?
This mural was painted in November 2024.
Past:
1: Ice Age Woolly Mammoth Discovery : 1864
2: Great Eastern Railway – 1839
3: Ilford Film (Founder Alfred Hugh Harman Depicted) – 1879
4: Ilford Tramline – 1903
5: Ilford Hippodrome– 1909
6: Votes For Women – Sylvia Pankhurst in Woodford – 1924
7: Plessey (Underground Tube Station Factory) – 1940
8: VE Day Street Parties – 1945
9: Ilford Palais Nightclub (Performance By Dusty Springfield Depicted)- 1964
10: Opening Of Ilford Exchange Shopping Centre – 1991
Present & Future:
11: Local Green Spaces: Including Valentines & 7 Kings Skate Park, Local Fun-Fairs And Football Games
12: Ilford Lane: Fruit, Food & Fabrics
13: Makers & Creators Of Redbridge
14: Redbridge Central Library
15: Ilford Cineworld
16: The Future Of Redbridge As Imagined By Local Primary School Groups During Art Workshops With Colours Of Redbridge
Illustrator
Erin Aniker is a Illustrator based in Redbridge and Istanbul. She produces bold and colourful people driven illustrations draw inspiration from her upbringing and love of her home city of London, dual Turkish and British heritage and the inclusive community she has grown up with in East London.
Alongside her personal work, she enjoys creating illustrations for use in editorials, books, advertising campaigns and more.
Muralists
The Matchbox CIC are a group of professional muralists, street artists and sign painters who decided to create a community within which we could all shine. We are passionate about supporting others and firmly believe that collective and grassroots approaches are essential for sustainable and positive change.
To make this mural a reality, not only did we look to community groups for the design but also the painting of it. We held 4 workshops open to all community members above ages 9.
Each participant got to learn how to spray paint, add their mark to the art and make their own tote bag to take away.
Thank you to Redbridge Museum and Heritage Centre for offering workshops, assistance and space during the creation of this piece, we would not have been able to delve in to local history. Please click here to find out more.
