Brent Cross Town, the new £7 billion, 180-acre net zero new park town, has unveiled its first piece of public artwork, a large-scale mural covering the gable wall on the parade of shops on Claremont Way, NW2. Commissioned to enliven the space for local residents and passers-by during the development of Brent Cross Town, the new temporary artwork is a vibrant illustration of blossoming flower being held by three different hands set against a bright blue sky.
Finnish born London based artist/illustrator, Annu Kilpeläinen was selected to design the mural as her work has a feel-good aesthetic and is inherently euphoric with its use of bright, rich colours. A graduate from London College of Communication, Annu’s work is recognisable by its radiant tropical urban landscapes, cars, flowers and landscapes as can be seen in the Claremont Way mural.
The new piece of public art has been designed to inspire positivity, celebrate the local community and promote people to be active. It now also marks the gateway into Brent Cross Town for visitors, alongside the growing local retail offer, soon to be open visitor Pavilion and Exploratory Park.
The mural incorporates feedback from members of the local community on how they identify with Brent Cross, what should be celebrated locally and the emotions they wanted it to convey. Local people were unanimous in their feedback that the existing gable end of the building was uninspiring and in need of refresh, agreeing that they would like the artwork to be vibrant, welcoming and positive, connected to historically significant stories whilst sensitive to the demographics and diversity of the community. References to wanting to see nature and bright colours were consistent throughout. To represent an element of local history, Kilpeläinen draws on the work of a local botanist, William Cattley who lived in the Borough of Barnet from 1788-1835.
The lively illustration depicts growth, togetherness, hopefulness and the community’s diversity. It also reflects Brent Cross Town’s pledges to create the place in London to participate in active sport and play and a flourishing new town that champions inclusivity and has neighbourliness at its core.
The temporary mural is the first piece to be delivered as part of Brent Cross Town’s investment in local public artwork. The series of new public artworks aim to reflect the local identity and culture of Brent Cross, bring long-term interest and link the existing Brent Cross community with the new scheme.
Nick Searl, Partner of Argent Related, says: “The feedback and contributions of the local community have been essential to the creation of this fantastic piece of artwork and Annu has done a remarkable job of encapsulating all if it. The mural revitalises the parade of shops of Claremont Way and we hope it will become a local landmark for the development signifying the bold beginning of the new Brent Cross Town neighbourhood.”
Illustrator, Annu Kilpeläinen’s, added: “This has been a fascinating project to work on. I have really enjoyed delving into the history of the area but also interpreting the feedback from members of the local community and I hope that they feel the mural is reflective of their want to have a joyful piece of artwork that shows the diversity of their community at a key moment in its growth.”
