Right in front of you lies a striking mural on a grey wall in London Fields. It seems like a wall of sunshine, with bright yellow rays bursting out against the muted grey background. This is the Planet Hackney mural, an artwork that captures the vibrant spirit of this dynamic London borough. This mural wasn’t painted overnight. In 2012, a group of housemates, led by architect Jurek Fryczkowski, decided to bring some colour and positivity to the local community. They chose this wall on Shrubland Road, hoping to create a piece of art that would symbolize Hackney’s creative energy, just like the rays of sunshine bursting from this circular depiction of the city. The group had a clear goal: to counter negative events that had happened in the area by creating something positive. After months of work, the mural was finished, and Planet Hackney was born. The mural has faded a little over the years, but it still holds a special place in the hearts of many locals. It’s a reminder of the power of art to bring people together and that even a grey wall can be transformed by a burst of sunshine.
Southfields Methodist Church
Curiosity stirred within the heart of Southfields as a new chapter began. Southfields Methodist Church held its first public service