This consultation is now closed — thank you for your interest.
Brick Lane Regeneration programme - mural to celebrate 50th anniversary of Bangladesh independence
The council’s High Streets team are currently managing delivery of the Brick Lane Regeneration programme, which includes artwork on council-owned buildings as part of improvement plans.
In early 2021, the High Streets team began work with the Arts, Parks & Events team to commission a public artwork to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh independence.
The site for the artwork is a prominent ‘blank canvas’ wall at 14 Brick Lane next to Hopetown Street, where there is a block of flats 1-18 managed by Tower Hamlets Homes. There are plans to improve the two entrances to this block by the Chicksands Estate, including the entrance below the flank wall that will host the artwork.
Next to the building hosting the artwork is the Banglatown Arch on Brick Lane, which was designed by Mina Thakur, and is known at the gateway to "Banglatown" with its cluster of curry houses. The arch is being refurbished to its former glory by March 2022 as part of the Brick Lane Regeneration programme. On the other side of the building by Hopetown Street is a foxglove tree, which will have downlights installed as part of architectural lighting plans for Brick Lane.
Have your say on the three proposals by noon Monday 9 August by voting in the survey
Three artists were invited to submit a concept design for the artwork in honour of the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of Bangladesh. Each artist has submitted their proposal and we are delighted to share them with you.
Aspirations
Whilst the overarching theme for this artwork is the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of Bangladesh, we are keen for artists to draw inspiration from the area’s rich history, diverse communities making this place their home and the range of commerce and trade that form part of local heritage.
We believe the artwork has the potential to strengthen the distinctive character and identity of the borough. The final artwork will be intriguing, memorable, sensitive to the local environment and context, and will add to the narrative of the area.
The three artists who submitted proposals are - Mohammed Ali, Karimah Hassan and Abu Jafar, who all know Tower Hamlets and are well-known artists.
All three artists have proposals to host workshops or events with local residents and the community to help inspire their design before the final artwork is installed in autumn 2021.
Proposals
Mohammed Ali
Karimah Hassan
Abu Jafar
How the artist will be selected
The selection of the artist to complete the mural will be informed by your feedback during the consultation, and a review by a Jury panel chaired by Councillor Motin Uz-Zaman with Councillor Sabina Akhtar, a representative from the Whitechapel Gallery, and a local representative.
The artist will be selected in August 2021.
Have your say
We want to hear from you! Have your say on each of the three proposals by noon on Monday 9 August by voting via the survey
If you would like to be involved in workshops with the selected artist in August/September 2021, please email highstreets@towerhamlets.gov.uk to register your interest.
Brick Lane Regeneration Programme Context
The Brick Lane area is one of Tower Hamlets’ most historic neighbourhoods and Banglatown is a symbol of the East End’s diversity and dynamism.
In 2017 the High Streets team began developing the Brick Lane Regeneration programme and secured funding for much-needed investment to make Brick Lane a more attractive and enjoyable place to live, work, and visit.
During 2018-20 the team spoke to residents, businesses, visitors, councillors, and landowners to develop feasibility studies led by architects, artists and lighting designers.
The improvement proposals were consulted on from October 2020 to December 2020 and include plans to:
Improve signage and wayfinding, including renaming Osborn Street to Lower Brick Lane, to help promote footfall in the southern section of Brick Lane and links to Whitechapel
Create a welcoming and visually appealing streetscape, particularly in the ‘central area’ between Wentworth Street and Fashion Street
To help improve air quality by adding urban greening and places to rest for visitors.
Improvements to pavements to make walking and cycling safer
To enhance the identity of the area, drawing on the connection with textiles as well as its diverse local communities
Highlight Brick Lane’s historic buildings using architectural lighting
Refurbishing the Banglatown arch to bring it back to its former glory
