Young people's mosaics brighten Enfield estate

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Housing

The Ayley Croft Estate in Enfield is now home to six beautiful new mosaics, made by the pupils of Bush Hill Park Primary and Kingsmead School.

John Dolan, Secretary of Ayley Croft Residents’ Association and the young people from both schools unveiled the ‘Self Portrait by Joshua Reynolds’, on Reynolds House.

The pieces of art are based on the paintings of famous English artists, and were especially chosen to correlate with the names of blocks on the estate.

Drawing on the influence of artists such as Constable, Gainsborough and Hogarth the young people used a variety of artistic methods to create mosaics to their own interpretation.

Elise Vanstone, Arts Coordinator at Kingsmead School said: “We were delighted to participate in such a worthwhile project. It brought together students from Kingsmead and Bush Hill Park Primary School giving us a wide age range which gave our staff and students the opportunity to share their skills and expertise and benefit the local community living on the Ayley Croft Estate.“

John Dolan said: “I don't think that it is widely known that all of the Ayley Croft blocks were named after painters, I didn't know until someone pointed it out to me, so this will help to inform residents and visitors to the estate, whilst improving the estates appearance.”

The estate has undergone many changes including modernised lifts to the Bonington, Gainsborough and Constable blocks and renewed roofs, windows, doors and ventilation to the medium rise blocks on the estate.

Bob Heapy, Chief Executive of Enfield Homes, said: “I am absolutely delighted to support this exciting project to bring such eye catching art to the Ayley Croft Estate.

"A project that was lead by the Ayley Croft tenants association, who worked with the schools, the children, contractors, and Enfield Homes - this is a great example of excellent partnership working.”