From ugly hoardings to community attraction, Donna Mizzi reflects on the difference art has made at the Evergreen Field construction site
An unusual tree has popped up along the edge of Wanstead’s Christ Church Green – an oak adorned with artwork. Art Group Wanstead (AGW) members seized the opportunity to help beautify the hoarding fence surrounding the Evergreen Field, during construction work.
A wide range of artwork has been included in the branches, including subjects inspired by Wanstead such as landmarks, local scenes and a portrait of the area’s former MP, Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
Members with their work displayed range from professional artists to keen adult amateurs of all ages, including an artist in her 90s and a remarkable member who learned to paint with her other hand following a stroke.
Graphic designer Fiona Eastmond sifted though all the artworks submitted while Woodford and Wanstead Photographic Society member Arnie Göbel photographed the artwork to the high quality required for this special project.
The oak was chosen as a popular local symbol and as a natural edging for the popular open green space. And it is also the symbol for Wanstead House community centre, this year celebrating its 80th anniversary. The centre is used for many local art classes, art groups and for some AGW meetings.
AGW also put forward historical facts relating directly to Wanstead’s outstanding figures of the past, to contribute to some of the other work on the hoarding. These were kindly checked by Wanstead Historical Society, led by one of our local living treasures, Pearly Queen Doreen Golding. Details about the other works on the hoarding are being planned for future editions of the Wanstead Village Directory.
All those involved have succeeded in turning a building site into a beauty sight. The greatest delight comes from seeing passers-by looking surprised, then stopping and enjoying the art.
It’s difficult to find public spaces for showing local artists’ work, particularly for any length of time. The art tree is likely to stay up until at least autumn 2027 while the four-storey flats and children’s nursery are being constructed on the site.
We must also thank Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing Association for paying to reproduce the art tree for the hoarding.
1 Donna Mizzi / 2 Bernie Clarkson / 3 Carin Wright / 4 Marie Christie 5 Francesca Jaggs / 6 Teresa Witz / 7 Gill Farr / 8 Arnie Göbel 9 Elly Davies / 10 Sonia Cudd / 11 Lena Coombs-O’Brien 12 Janice Elgin / 13 Bernie Clarkson / 14 Arnie Göbel 15 Gina Wade / 16 Wiz Mansi / 17 Madeline Wong / 18 Janet Silver 19 Peter Cartwright / 20 Alison Stenhouse / 21 Carin Wright / 22 Donna Mizzi / 23 Alison Stenhouse / 24 Bal Ghataore
For more information on the artwork, email donnamizzi@btinternet.com
