16 December 2024

Have you spotted The Block’s vibrant new artwork?

The Benyon Estate has commissioned a local artist to brighten up the hoarding boards around De Beauvoir Block, with uplifting murals reflecting the greenery and wildlife in the area.

Artist Coco Lom is putting her bold and playful abstract designs onto the boards surrounding the scaffolding while the buildings in De Beauvoir Road undergo essential maintenance work.

We have collaborated with the artist to help create the works on the theme of tranquillity, with green as the predominate colour palette.  The intention is to lift people’s mood as they enjoy the artworks in the heart of our community.

Our Estate Manager, Edward Benyon, said: “We have been really impressed with Coco Lom’s work in other parts of Hackney and beyond and thought she would be the ideal artist to create vibrant scenes on the boards.   

“We need to screen off the areas where building work is ongoing, but the hoarding boards are a perfect place to display street art, brightening up the area and hopefully giving people something to smile about.

Coco Lom says the mural is inspired by the bright colours, playful shapes and striking patterns of nature to be found in every corner of De Beauvoir town.

She began her research by photographing trees, leaves, berries, branches and seeds, as well as taking careful cuttings. Back at her studio in Stoke Newington, she scanned her findings to explore the interesting combinations of shapes and to investigate the unusual patterns to guide her creations.

She says: “Curiosity and the quest for the quiet details in our spaces creates ‘awe’ in us. It stimulates wonder - an emotion which drives happiness and creativity, lowers stress, quiets negative self-talk, calms our heart rate and releases oxytocin, the “love” hormone. Connecting with awe can essentially make us kinder humans.

“We hope this mural will inspire you to pause for a moment on your walks and to enjoy the joyful details that surround you. From the starburst of black seed pods clustered on Fatsia Japonica (also known as Castor Oil plant) around De Beauvoir Square, to the golden leaves of the Ginkgo tree on Northchurch Road - what will you discover?”

Coco Lom has built up an impressive body of work for a wide range of clients and has featured across many different mediums, from clothing and candles to interiors and murals, including transforming central London’s first art basketball court. 

Come and take a look at the fantastic new artwork surrounding De Beauvoir Block!

To discover Coco Lom’s work, visit: https://www.cocolom.com/ and to download the ‘Awe Walk’ guide, visit: https://www.cocolom.com/de-beauvoir-block.

Pictured: Coco Lom

Photos copyright © The Benyon Estate // Joel Rodriguez