Inspiring new street art in Slough

A new commission to bring art to Slough streets can be viewed from this weekend on the wall at The Curve Plaza and on the Wellington Street hoardings, facing the old TVU site.

The HOME Slough commission, supported by Slough Borough Council and Arts Council England, was for an artist to design and install murals in collaboration with young people in Slough.

Cllr Martin Carter, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth & Skills, Slough Borough Council said, “It is a pleasure to see new art being commissioned in and around the Town Centre, brightening up some areas and making for an altogether nicer environment. This is just one of the initiatives now underway to attract people back to the town centre and it is certainly one of the most colourful.”

The collaboration between artist Daryl Bennett, aka Sinna One, and groups of young people connected to local charity, Aik Saath, has brought two fantastic murals to life in Slough.

The artist, initially brainstormed concepts with the group of over 30 young people, back in April. The inspiration from the designs came from the young people’s pride in Slough’s diversity and their knowledge of its historical and nature roots, from the home of scientific discoveries by Herschel to the arts with Betjeman. They worked together to inspire the final designs.

The design chosen for the Wellington Street hoarding was a dragon. Sinna One said, “Dragons are prominent in folklore across the world, in the Chinese mythology, they symbolize creativity and transformation.”

Andy Howell, Slough Urban Renewal who kindly granted permission for the artwork to be placed on hoarding, said, “SUR is delighted to promote arts and culture in the town and really pleased we’ve had the chance to give it such a prominent location where we are building two new Marriott Hotels and 64 apartments in the Heart of Slough”

The process enabled the participants to gain confidence and work as a team to create something unique in Slough.

Marina Norris, Interim Director, HOME Slough said, “Our vision is that Slough’s cultural life transforms perceptions and aspirations for residents and local businesses. The ideas generated between young people in Slough and Sinna One express the imagination, pride and talent that exist in this town. We’re grateful to all those who partnered with us on this project.”