Floral patterns stretch into the distance like connective wallpaper. This is the Newham Trackside Wall. It is more than just a barrier. It is one of the longest artworks in the UK. The Newham Trackside Wall runs through Custom House, Silvertown and North Woolwich. It separates the public from the Elizabeth line tracks. It also helps reduce noise and provides flood protection.
Sonia Boyce OBE RA created the Newham Trackside Wall. She worked with local residents to gather stories. These stories reflect the unique cultural history of the area. The artist collected over 300 testimonies from 2017 to 2018. Over 170 of these stories are woven into the artwork.
The Newham Trackside Wall is Sonia Boyce’s first public artwork. Crossrail commissioned it. UP Projects curated it and Atkins engineered it. The artwork features documentary photography. These photos show buildings, homes, and street scenes opposite the trackside wall. Plants and wildlife from the surrounding area also appear.
The Newham Trackside Wall embodies the neighborhoods. It mirrors the ecology of the area. It depicts buildings, homes, and street scenes. It also shows flora, fauna, animals, and insects.
Photographs capture the changing landscape. They are printed on 1500 unique panels. These reflect 170 stories from local people. As you walk along the Newham Trackside Wall, you encounter these stories. Some are factual and some are anecdotal memories. All are significant points about the area.
Sonia Boyce grew up in Newham from the age of ten. She conducted interviews and workshops. She held drop-in sessions at community centers. This was in collaboration with UP Projects.
The Newham Trackside Wall encapsulates the area. It shows it at a point of transformational change. This happened during the regeneration process. Boyce learned about the area. For example, a hybrid Bombardier beetle lives in the docks. It likely arrived on a ship and adapted to the local terrain.
Boyce started as a painter. She stopped painting and used materials to make drawings. This led her to work in a multimedia way. She was awarded an MBE in 2007. In 2016, she became a Royal Academician. She is a professor of Black Art and Design.
The Newham Trackside Wall has a dedicated website. It provides background information about the artwork. It shows how it was created. The site contains the full collection of stories. It offers further information about the engagement process.
Local young people trained to record oral history interviews. They came from Shipman Youth Centre, Fight for Peace, and ASTA Community Hub. These voices and images now connect along this remarkable, long mural. The Newham Trackside Wall preserves Newham’s character. It is also a testament to community collaboration.