‘Masterpiece’: Praise for bold new mural that celebrates joy and diversity of Ridley Road

The new mural on Ridley Road. Photograph: Hackney Council

A vibrant, larger-than-life mural on Dalston’s Ridley Road was revealed over the summer, celebrating the cultural history of the market.

The artwork spells out ‘Ridley Road’ and covers a row of buildings at the Kingsland High Street entrance to the market, brightening it up with bold colours and lettering.

It was created as the finishing touch to a £1.5 million joint investment from Hackney Council and the Mayor of London that was aimed at improving facilities for traders and creating better public spaces.

This saw additional renovations in the springtime, including new seating, with design input from traders, new trees for both the market and nearby Ashwin Street, along with signage and paving to improve accessibility.

The mural’s final design was picked by market vendors from a range of design concepts by artist Carl Cozier, also known as Holy Moly.

Carl said: “I am flattered that they opted for my type-based design and honoured they entrusted such an iconic part of the market with my art.

“I like to use the juxtaposition of colour and pattern as a means to express diversity, unity and joy so I opted for bright colour combinations that give rise to joyful feelings and a sense of the cultural melting pot you are about to enter.”

Matthew Roberts, who has traded on Ridley Road for 20 years, said: “The mural makes the market a lot brighter.”

Gracia Coleman, manager of Kingsland Shopping Centre, added: “The mural speaks for itself as an attractive statement and a masterpiece which will become a staple and a pinpoint for customers to approach the Ridley Road Market, equally bringing attention to Kingsland Shopping Centre, which is accessible to all, for various essential shopping needs to those near and far to visit and hopefully remember.

“The mural reflects the change and diversity of the area and matches the energy of the surrounding community through art and colour. I think it is a fantastic input to Dalston and hope others will appreciate it.”

For the painting work, the council commissioned East London art collective Wood Street Walls, who have curated or facilitated 200 East London murals in the last decade. They also give tours of London’s street art and deliver mural workshops in schools, like one in July at Colvestone Primary School when Years Five and Six students learnt about the history of street art and about careers in creative industries.

Marck Clack, co-founder of Wood Street Walls, said: “We hope this will lead to more demand for murals to enhance the public realm around Ridley Road to support the market traders and businesses in the area.”

Hackney’s culture chief Cllr Chris Kennedy added: “The new mural is a fantastic addition to Ridley Road, providing a warm welcome for those who visit, reflecting the buzzing atmosphere and celebrating the diversity and character this much-loved street market is so well known for.

“In close collaboration with those who use Ridley Road most, we will continue to act wherever we can to ensure this important Hackney landmark is prioritised and preserved for future generations.”