The 160 metre-squared artwork is the only permanent mural in the Priory Court Estate, and is based on the stories of local residents, reports Sophie Mitchell
A new six-storey high public mural has been unveiled at the Priory Court estate in Walthamstow.
Local arts organisations Wood Street Walls CIC and The Digital Story CIC assisted the funding of the project, titled The Priory Court Unity Banner. The mural utilises local artist INSA’s signature augmented reality technique to combine frames into an animated GIF which can be viewed through his GIF-ITI Viewer app.
The 160 metre-squared artwork is the only permanent mural in the Priory Court Estate, and is based on the stories of local residents about the estate, shared as part of workshops celebrating the community.
INSA describes his inspirations for the piece, saying: “It’s a reference to old Union banners, the history of sewing on the estate and in factories in Walthamstow.” The Earth motifs that frame the top and bottom pay homage to the global backgrounds of the estate’s residents.
The mural was born from resident consultations, face to face interviews and focus groups. A local sewing group for older residents, The Bee’s Knees, contributed the applique foxes on the mural’s edge. Young people had the opportunity to learn some of the techniques that INSA used in the creation of the mural and contribute their ideas to the design in The Digital Story’s social action projects.
Waltham Forest Council has supported the creation of the mural and the charity foundation of Clarion Housing Group provided funding and contacted other organisations to source donations and a scissor lift.
Matt Parsonage, head of communities at Clarion Futures, said: “We’re proud to have supported this fantastic project which celebrates the history of the Priory Court estate. Young residents … have been key to the project’s success, bringing local people together to help shape INSA’s vision for a mural which puts Walthamstow on the map.”
Download INSA’s augmented reality app to view the mural in all its glory here
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