Southall’s streets and bridges have been getting a colourful new look thanks to Southall Stories, a public art trail created with the help of local residents, schools and community groups.

Southall Stories is a collection of 8 pieces of art at 7 locations created by artists working with the community since the start of the year.

Led by Ealing Council and funded by the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Southall Stories celebrates the town’s history, multicultural identity and community spirit, as well as improving the look and feel of the public spaces displaying the artwork.

The art includes murals and installations on bridges, streets and at the Dominion Centre.

Artist Dish Kunst, who grew up in Southall, returned to Blair Peach Primary School where she was once a pupil. She worked with the children to inspire the design for Merrick Road foot and cycle bridge.

Dish, whose family still lives in Southall, said it was a ‘great honour’ to be selected to create the 140-metre-long piece of art, Stronger Together. She said that it represents people ’who have impacted Southall’s history musically, culturally or within activism’. They include anti-racism campaigner Blair Peach and director of Bend it Like Beckham, Gurinder Chadha, world famous jazz singer Cleo Lane, and Southall Black Sisters.

Dish said: “I hope that when people come over the bridge that it gives them a sense of hope, a sense of curiosity of what Southall is.”

Pupils at Blair Peach have proudly shown family and friends the art that they helped design.

Iwan, a year 5 pupil, said: “I hope that when other children see the artwork it makes them think that their ideas can become something big too.”

Another pupil, Neha, said: “My favourite part was seeing our drawings and ideas become part of the bridge. It feels special because it will be there for lots of people to enjoy.”

Teacher, Josephine Menezes said: “It was a wonderful opportunity for them to use their creativity and contribute to something that has a lasting presence in their local community. Seeing their ideas brought to life and displayed on the bridge has given the children a real sense of pride and achievement. They are thrilled to know that their creativity is helping to brighten up Southall for everyone.”

What else can visitors see?

Other artworks across the trail celebrate different aspects of Southall’s past and present.

At Norwood Road Bridge, artist Pablo Thomas worked with community groups, schools and local historians to create 12 paintings reflecting the town’s history and creativity. They include cricket, Martin Brothers’ pottery, the arrival of the railways, and migration from around the world.

Artist Raj Dhunna invited the Southall community to nominate people whose portrait should be part of his ‘Faces of Southall’ art at the bottom Merrick Road footbridge. He worked with schools, community groups that he met on Southall Broadway and at the Dominion Centre.

At the Dominion Centre, artist Haffendi Anaur created an interactive installation inspired by traditional shadow puppet theatre and the building’s history as an Art Deco cinema. Haffendi worked with Southall children to design part of the installation.

On Southall Broadway, artist Shirin Naveed worked with residents to create The Broadway Manja, inspired by the traditional Punjabi woven bed often used as a place for conversation and community, The artwork combines song lyrics, music and stories of migration, reflecting the generations of people who have made Southall their home.

Still to come…

Artists are still working on 3 of the installations which will be completed in the coming weeks.

South Road bridge outside Southall Station will soon have a colourful makeover. Artists Matt Small and Monika Forsberg worked with members of a sewing and art workshop at the Dominion Centre to shape designs. The art will look like a quilt of diamond patches drawn from sari borders, bandanas and hand-stitched quilts. Each patch will carry the patterns and symbols of a different community.

Theatre designer TK Hay has created miniature 3-dimensional versions of important Southall buildings such as Southall Manor House, which will be added to Hayes Gate Bridge.

Southall-born Prem Sahib has created cinema-style seats as a tribute to the old Himalaya Palace and Dominion Theatre. These will soon be installed in King Street Square. Entitled, Drift, the work looks at their links to migrant communities in Southall over the years.

Councillor Lauren Wall, the council’s cabinet member for thriving communities, said: “The best cultural projects are created with communities, not just for them. I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone in Southall who’s been part of this. By working with local people, schools and community groups, this artwork celebrates what makes our borough special and creates something that residents can feel connected to and proud of for years to come.”

Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, the council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes, joined a tour of the art. She said: “Regeneration is about more than improving buildings and streets. It’s about creating places people feel proud of. Public art can transform everyday spaces, celebrate the stories of our communities and help bring new energy to our high streets, benefiting residents, visitors and local businesses alike.”