The banner designs are inspired by local business owners’ ideas on what makes Finsbury Park special

MORE than 100 colourful banners have been strung up in Finsbury Park to bring art into the streets and encapsulate the spirit of the neighbourhood.

The eight different designs – including a woman dancing in traditional Jamaican clothing, a man at a co-working space, and an actor reaching for the stars – were made by Archway artist Lydia Rose, and inspired by local business owners’ ideas about what makes Finsbury Park special.

Working with the council, Ms Rose ran sessions with some 20 people to understand their experiences of the area and how to express them through art.

“A lot of people said there’s this impression of Finsbury Park as quite a dangerous area, or one that a lot of people move through,” she told the Tribune.

“But for people living and working here, there are strong connections between different communities and it has a rich cultural history. They talked about how they loved the colour purple – a magical, creative colour that represented Finsbury Park, and they felt the park was particularly important. They wanted lots of trees and nature, and diverse people as well.”

Ms Rose went away and designed the banners, which are now adorning buildings and lamp-posts in Fonthill Road, Seven Sisters Road and surrounding streets – with two larger murals due to be put up at the station next month.

Lydia Rose and, below, childhood friend Allie who her art club is named after

All the figures depicted in her eight designs are doing different activities related to the area.
Ms Rose first started making art for her own wellbeing and set up Allie’s Art Club in 2021.

An Islington community group all about helping people express themselves, the art club is named after Ms Rose’s childhood friend, Allie, who passed away from cancer when she was 17.

“It meant a lot to be able to put Allie’s name on all the banners,” she said, adding: “I think it’s so important for art to be accessible to everyone.

“Sometimes people are prevented from having the benefits of it because they can’t afford to go to a class, or they can’t afford the equipment.

“So it’s lovely that people don’t have to pay to go to an exhibition in this case – it’s up there for everyone to see.”

• Find out more on Instagram @alliesartclub and @lydiarose_artist