The Old Kent Road railway bridge has been transformed with a new, bespoke mural titled ‘A Home from Home’, a collaborative effort of extensive engagement with the local community, residents, buisnesses and Southwark Young Advisors, under Southwark Stands Together, the council’s race equality programme.
Work to improve the railway bridge across Old Kent Road began on 14 July 2024, and lasted 13 weeks, with a coordinated effort to install pipes on Ilderton Road as part of the extension of Southwark’s SELCHP District Heat Network (DHN), and other work on the TfL road network to help to minimise congestion.
“Home from Home” theme developed by Peter Hudson, Yinka Danmole and Halina Edwards.
Part funded by the Government’s Future High Streets Fund, with the aim to renew and reshape town centres and high streets in a way that drives growth, improves experience and ensures future sustainability. The mural was designed by artist Linda Baritski, aka SEASON OF VICTORY, an Illustrator / Creative based in London and commissioned by Lawless Studio and Southwark Council as part of a regeneration initiative, using this permanant landmark in the public space to celebrate community and culture, bringing to life the spirit of unity and togetherness.
Kender Primary schools’s art specialist Nicola McCaffrey and the final year students contributed to a series of workshops led by Yinka Danmole, Peter Hudson and Halina Edwards, where they re-imagined motifs that represented symbols of experiences in the area, playing with bold colours and lettering and elements of the community identity.
The artwork depicts longterm local landmarks such as 805 restaurant, La Placita Mall and the Livesey Exchange.
“The new mural celebrates the cultural diversity of Old Kent Road and identifies places of importance to local people (including faith premises, restaurants and community halls).”
“The project offered our Year 6 children the opportunity to experience first-hand the process of taking an initial design brief through to completion and seeing their designs interpreted on the bridge. This real-life experience gave the children confidence and I am sure will have a lasting impact as they move on to secondary school” – Nicola McCaffrey ( Source : https://oldkentroad.org.uk/okr-bridge-works/ )
Photos and videos by Obuineke Amaechi, REMEC
Old Kent Road Bridge Art
Photos and videos by Lawless studio and FM Conway
Mural painted by Lawless Studio, Mr. Finbar and Mr Penfold
