i was invited down to Urban Art 2016 weekend to be apart of live graffiti area organised by Mrcenz
after the event all the graffiti artwork was displayed down on Windrush Square in Brixton for 2 weeks.
For my piece i switched my letters to say orea which means Beautiful in Greek
here is my part of the event.
A big thanks to all involved at save central hill community (crystal palace) for arranging the mural to be painted it has been a pleasure meeting and talking to you all, having to work around the weather we managed to get the wall completed in 2 very long days painting until dusk.
the feedback and reaction from passers by has been great especially from the children and young people with lots of positive comments.
artists: Aero and Dope
Over the course of 4 days spread over three weeks Aero gave up his free time to paint this enchanted themed mural at HomePark Aadventure Playground.
The buildings entrance was looking in a bad way with flaking paint and visible repairs on show, with the space in need of colour and life to make the entrance more welcoming for it’s young users.
Preparation work began the start of April removing old paint making brickwork and wood areas sound and ready for a base colour to be applied marked out the design worked on the background trees and shutter and finally painted the mushrooms and animals.
Aeroarts was approached to paint the shutters of The Calabash Culture to bring to life the faceless metal space with a piece of work that local customers titled The Heart of Nature!!
“We at Calabash, endeavour to liberate people of Cultural Heritage and others, through literature and arts corresponding to the history of Africa, and other cultures -Remembering our Affinity with Nature.
Showing the beauty of Africa and its diaspora, in our purest form through art, craft and sculpture.
Educating ourselves and our children through the deliverance of literature affiliated with Cultural Heritage.”
inside you can find Gifts/books, Vegan Cafe, Art Gallery, Boutique and a Holistic Sanctuary offering alternative therapies.
The Calabash Culture can be found at 21 Sydenham Road, London, SE26 5EX.
Down the embankment of West Dulwich train station you can find a botanical garden project created and managed by New leaf which offers education, training and employment for young people by building educational gardens.
New Leaf’s founder – botanist and plant historian – Vinnie acts as a mentor to the young people they train. Helping them start careers as gardeners, tree surgeons, construction workers and more.
New Leaf is a hub for people in Dulwich, with friends dropping by at all time for agricultural advice, to volunteer a shift in the book shop (donated books raising funds for future projects) or just for a chat.
The botanical garden is to be used as a teaching resource for local schools and other community members and tells the story depicting the evolution of flowering plants through time and of their uses through history.
New leaf also encourages and works with local artists getting them involved with hand-painted signs and notice boards for the garden and painting murals.
The amazing “Wild Wall” and “Heroes Wall” murals where both painted by Local Artist BURNZ over the course of the year.
this is where i got involved with the project a few days before there big opening weekend event on 31st May and 1st June 2014 there garden walls, shop shutter and murals was damaged with tags hindering all the hardwork the New Leaf team have done over the past few years. I see photos of the damage and offered to help by painting the shop shutter and to see if i could repair the murals for there New Leaf Botanical Garden Day.
The weekend was a great success with local family’s, residents and friends all getting involved and “digging in” helping to move heavy materials, clear planting areas, paint bird/bat boxes and planting.
New Leaf’s president Hue Edwards (BBC journalist / broadcaster) came down and gave a great speech of encouragement highlighting the work they do with young people and bringing local communities together and to spread the word that new leaf will be expanding and growing like there gardens over the following months and years.
Vinnie, Helen, Bruno, Teresa and Hue 
The team by the repaired murals.
To find out more about New Leaf and what they do visit:
New Leaf Site
FaceBook Page
Botanical Landscape Shutter