An angel with the bench and painting where Mr Eastlake worked [Teri Tyndall]

A NEW artwork has appeared on Essex Road to mark four years since the shocking murder of the “flower man of Islington”.

This week, anyone passing the place where Tony Eastlake sold roses and daffodils for almost 40 years might have noticed a mural of an angel that has joined the memorial bench and commemorative painting put there in his memory after Mr Eastlake was stabbed to death in May 2021.

With a tattoo-sleeve of flowers and a paper-wrapped bouquet of roses in her hand, the angel is a tribute to Mr Eastlake, explained street artist David Schmidt, whose works are tagged with the initials “DS”.

Tony Eastlake was stabbed to death in May 2021

“I used to take the 38 bus from the early 2000s and passed Tony’s stand daily.

“Later I lived directly opposite, started to buy from him and began to appreciate more the vibe and colour he brought to otherwise a dull part of Essex Road, in my opinion.

“This is a tragic story – it’s hard not to think about him when you go past where his stand used to be.

“He’s missed by lots so I wanted to pay my respects and I am a street artist so this is how I felt I could do it best.

“I didn’t know Tony well but the anniversary of his death was coming around and I thought his family might appreciate it, otherwise I had my white paint roller ready.

“A couple of his family members did get in touch with me since and shared some really nice thoughts so I’m happy.”

The angel added to the wall on Essex Road [Teri Tyndall]

Mr Schmidt has lived in Angel for nearly 20 years and has a gallery on Essex Road that shares space with his partner’s hair salon, Sarah Hepburn Stylists.

His street art usually consists of “mischievous” angels and cherubs inspired by church statues or headstones, but their meanings are rarely linked to death.

“This piece was an exception,” he said.

Mr Eastlake grew up in Bentham Court, just off Essex Road, and started working at the flower stall in Essex Road aged just 14 as a Saturday job while also helping his dad who had a spot in the Nine Elms flower market.

Artist David Schmidt [Sarah Castañares]

After Mr Eastlake’s murder in 2021, his sister Debbie Hughes-Eastlake said: “Tony brought joy, happiness and love to us all and everyone. He was always smiling and upbeat and a very popular, well-liked person. He was a ray of sunshine.”

After a two-week trial in August 2023, Mr Eastlake’s killer James Peppiatt, aged 21 at the time of the murder, was sentenced to 20 years.

Speaking to the Tribune after the trial, Mr Eastlake’s daughter, Paige, said: “My dad, Tony, was a safe face of Islington. He would talk to anyone, about anything, and brighten up their day. I couldn’t be prouder of my dad for the lasting legacy he has left as the flower man of Essex Road.”

• www.dsart.co.uk and instagram: @DS__ART