Community designed murals unveiled in Finsbury Park

The artworks, located on Wells Terrace outside Finsbury Park London Underground station and inside the station, were created through a community co-design project led by Islington Council in partnership with Allie's Art Club, with support from Transport for London (TfL). 

Six local residents worked with community artist Lydia Rosen to explore what Finsbury Park's identity, heritage and culture mean to them, helping shape artwork that will now be seen by thousands of people every day. 

Funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the murals form part of wider improvements to Finsbury Park town centre, helping to create a greener, safer and more welcoming area for residents, businesses and visitors. 

The mural inside Finsbury Park London Underground station welcomes people arriving in the neighbourhood, while the Wells Terrace mural celebrates the communities, cultures and connections that make the area distinctive. 

The Mayor of Islington, Councillor Rosaline Ogunro, said: "These murals tell a local story in a way that only local people can. They celebrate the communities, cultures and everyday experiences that make Finsbury Park unique. 

"Finsbury Park is one of Islington's most diverse neighbourhoods, and it's wonderful to see residents' ideas transformed into artwork that thousands of people, including visitors to our borough, will enjoy every day. One of the murals even captures residents waving, offering a fitting welcome to all who pass through the area. 

"This project shows how we can work with communities and partners to improve public spaces while giving local people a genuine say in shaping their neighbourhood." 

Lydia Rose, founder of Allie's Art Club, said: "It has been such a joy to work with local residents and businesses to explore what Finsbury Park means to them and turn their ideas into these public artworks. 

"The murals and banners reflect the everyday experiences, communities and connections that give the area its unique identity, and I hope local people feel a sense of pride and belonging when they see them." 

Resident co-designer Phoebe Smith said: "My first time seeing the completed mural I was lost for words, it’s just fabulous! I’ve lived in Islington all my life and it’s a nice feeling to be part of something like this. It’s awesome to have contributed to these murals, I can see how our ideas have fed into the final piece. Our conversations are encompassed in this mural, I can see Rowans, the hairdressers, companionship.

"I hope it shows the inclusiveness of the Finsbury Park community; it’s a very accepting place and it’s nice to see our feelings as a physical thing. The weekend where we shared our ideas with Lydia there was a unity of feeling about Finsbury Park and I think it’s expressed here very well. Maybe a few preconceptions about Finsbury Park will be popped by this mural."

Nick Dent, LU Director of Customer Operations at TfL, said: “Serving the Piccadilly and Victoria lines, Finsbury Park London Underground station is both a key transport hub and the heart of a diverse part of North London. These two new murals provide a warm welcome to everyone, whether they’re living or working in the area or paying a visit to local landmarks.”