Maria Epam in front of her mural near London Met University

PEOPLE passing by two giant murals close to the Emirates Stadium might be wondering who they are paintings of.

So meet Maria Epam, a student from London Metropolitan University in Holloway Road, who told the Tribune this week how the artwork is aimed at highlighting Islington’s diversity.

“When I learned I was going to be in the mural it was a big surprise, I’m not going to lie,” said Ms Epam, 26, who studies art and design at the university.

“It’s really overwhelming, but in a good way. I really didn’t expect them to paint me. But, it’s fantastic to know that I’m a muse. Somebody has used me to do something good, and that’s amazing. I’m really grateful for that.”

The two 1,800 sq ft murals are called Learn to Dream – and can’t be missed by either the students at the university or football fans heading to the stadium.

The project has been jointly organised by London Met, Arsenal and coffee company Lavazza.

Ms Epam, who is originally from Madrid, feels that the murals, painted by artist Gabriel Pitcher and arts collective Wood Street Walls, are a step towards a more equal borough.

“I hope it inspires people to see diversity positively,” she said.

“I want people to see someone like them doing something big. It’s in front of the stadium as well, so lots of people will see it. I think it will inspire a lot of hope and creativity.”

She added: “I see a lot of diversity in the university, which is really cool. I didn’t see a lot of diversity for a long time, and now, seeing it, it’s impacted me for good. You see people like you doing things beyond what you ever thought you could do.”

Ms Epam is studying illustration and hopes to turn that into her career.

“I’m trying animation but illustration is my thing,” she said.

“People appreciate what you do and they like it, and they feel inspired. I just fell in love with that.”

She added: “I think murals make a city more beautiful. I think just seeing a piece of art makes everything more beautiful. You can amplify that image in a city. In a painting, it really depends on its size and where it is, but if you do it in a city, everyone can pass by and see it.

“There are places in London that look really sad, and a mural pops up and gives colour, and life.”

Lee McEwan is the other subject of the paintings and is a former student of Lavazza and Arsenal’s A Cup Of Learning Project which trains young people as baristas.

He said: “A Cup of Learning opened a lot of doors for me, so I am especially privileged to take part in another project with Lavazza and Arsenal. It’s amazing to see myself as an inspiration for people in the area I was born and raised in.”