We are awaiting confirmation from the council that we can install the mural. In the unlikely event that this is not approved, all pledges will be refunded.
We are creating a beautiful mural that celebrates the beauty of the biodiversity of Latin America. Painted by Peruvian artist Gisella Stapleton, the mural will connect with Kilburn Highstreet through a series of floor art stencils guiding people to us, as well as 2 community workshops about the importance of preserving biodiversity. As well as an evening event to celebrate the mural all together!
The design depicts a heart, inspired by the certainty that all of us who live abroad "carry our land in our hearts". It represents elements of the continent from the mountains that stretch across South America, the hummingbird, embroideries, leaves from the Amazonian zones, ceiba flowers from Argentina, the corn that together with the potato is the most consumed food and a combination of Andean, Mapuche, Guarani and Mayan symbols.
What we'll deliver:
- A mural by a Latin American artist outside our community centre.
- A series of floor stencil art pieces guiding people from the high street into our mural.
- A plant pot paint community workshop for children delivered by the artist (the pots will create an outside garden).
- A short video documenting the delivery of the project.
- An opening event for the new mural.
Why it's a great idea:
Our community centre is in Kingsgate Place, a street on the back of Kilburn High Road with little to none colour and nature, surrounded by council flats. This mural will bring life and joy to the street and it will warm the hearts of the immigrants we support. It will also help us communicate what we are about to the local community that hasn't engaged with us yet.
Executed by a Peruvian artist, this is an opportunity to provide spaces for visibility for the very misrepresented Latin American artists of London. The floor art stencils will not only bring joy and beauty to the high street, they will also allow us to connect with the local people that don't know that our community centre exists just around the corner.
The theme of biodiversity and environment is extremely relevant. We hope to raise awareness on this topic through public art that is accessible and allows opportunities to start conversations with the community about the urgency of preserving biodiversity everywhere.
Steps to get it done:
- Buying the materials (brushes, paint, etc.)
- Prepare wall (clean it)
- Paint the mural!
- Paint the floor stencils from Kilburn High Street.
- Mural inauguration party at Latin American House
- First community workshop, with the neighbors.
- Second community workshop, with children.
Once the mural is completed, Latin American House will host a social gathering in the community centre to celebrate the inauguration of our new public art piece. The neighbours will be invited, as well as the Peruvian Embassy, members of Camden Council and the higher tier supporters of the crowdfunding campaign. The artist will also deliver an art workshop for children with the aim of involving our community in the project and getting them excited: in this workshop the children will paint plant pots under the theme of biodiversity and such pots will constitute a garden outside our community centre, that will serve as an extension of the mural.
The video will document the artist process painting the mural and the floor art stencils as well as the engagement with the local community and Kilburn Highstreet, and will be available on all of Latin American House digital platforms for people everywhere to find out more about the project.