Public art creates stronger and safer communities.

Streets of Growth and Tower Hamlets Homes tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) through community projects and local engagement.

They asked Paint the Change to help residents of Birchfied Estate paint a mural for their communal garden in Westferry.

In an afternoon of painting, crafting, barbecuing and sharing, local residents, police, ASB officers and Streets of Growth young leaders were united in creating their new mural, with the help of street artist Atma.

As the wall is central to the estate, I thought to create this central ‘warm’ feature which is a metaphor for solidarity, hands reaching to one another. To express the different nationalities, I have included national flowers from various countries (White water lily / Bangladesh, Wall iris / Algeria, Poppy / Albania + Kosovo, King protea / Somalia, Rose / UK) where estate residents are originated from. The beauty is these flowers are also typical of so many countries and continents, so that it's all inclusive, wherever people are originally from. I also included more abstract flowers, leaves and shapes. To represent the history of the area, originally the ‘old China town’, I have framed the artwork on the right and left with a numbers of plum blossom flowers (the national flower from China). That way we have a true multicultural feel, colourful and vibrant, which I think all residents can connect with. Residents and young people decided to title the piece ‘Hands of Hope’.

– Atma