Scottish street-food specialist Deeney’s opened its first cafe on High Road Leyton in 2015, and moved to a larger premises a block up in December 2018. That’s when the Deeney’s team got chatting to Andy de Vries of local animation studio Mighty Elk. Andy thought the street could benefit from an artistic intervention, and that the uniquely shaped buildings would be suited to a mural. Looking for an artist with a strong positive aesthetic – as well as the expertise to deliver such a logistically complex project – the pair approached Camille Walala. Having created murals, building façades and installations in locations from Mauritius to Mayfair, Walala has a track record in using bold colours and dynamic geometries to energise urban landscapes. Walala has embraced the opportunity to inject joy into Leyton via a large-scale, street-spanning mural. The project will elevate this part of the High Road to the standards of the section further up, which was redeveloped for the 2012 Olympics.

What we'll deliver:

• Primarily deliver a new public artwork by Camille Walala, covering the entire parade of shops
• Have the public choose on 2-3 designs created by the artist
• Create artwork and prints that the public can enjoy in their homes and place of work
• Find out local residents and businesses aspirations for the area, using the artwork as a conversation starter
• Create a small exhibition in Deeneys to celebrate the project
• Host a thank you event at Deeneys for the future backers of the project
• Create a new event for the London Design Festival in September

Why it's a great idea:

We believe art & culture is a great way to engage the community and brighten up public space to stimulate footfall and install a sense of civic pride. Through the public art project, we intend to use the vote as a way to ask the community aspirations for their local area, which can inform ideas for for projects for Leyton. Deeney's have worked hard to seek agreement from all the local businesses and landlords across the Parade of shops, which has helped build relationships between business owners and build excitement, making the parade a destination and to stimulate footfall. The artwork will be delivered in partnership with Camille Walala and Wood Street Walls, with local artists participating in the delivery of the artwork and the engagement, meaning money raised will stay in the local economy, boosting work for local/nearby creatives.

Steps to get it done:

• Project Launch
• Mailshot to local community, on Deeny's mailing list
• Creation of project literature, including microsite and flyer design
• Active fundraising in local area
• Creation of mobile art gallery trike to boost interest and raise awarness
• Securing of permits for scaffolding
• Erection of scaffolding
• Prepping of surface
• Execution of artwork
• Small video content package to track creation of artwork
• Celebration event and exhibition

We intend to host a thank you event for funders, and make this parade of shops a feature on the London Design Festival and the London Festival of Architecture.