Barkingside Community Flags
About
Audio Introduction and Thank you
Barkingside Community Flags is an arts and heritage project run by Vision’s Culture and Library Development Team as part of their Redbridge Outdoor Arts programme and is funded by Arts Council’s National Lottery Project Grants.
In partnership with Kinetika Design Studio, the community of Barkingside has come together to create a set of silk flags that explore the themes of identity, heritage, environment and celebrating arts and culture. Taking inspiration from the people that live, work, and play in Barkingside, the architecture, outdoor spaces, and heritage of this unique place.
Every flag in the series features the iconic green copper roof of Fullwell Cross Library designed by Sir Frederick Gibberd in 1968, above an arch and chequerboard floor from Ken Aston Square by DK-CM architects 2014. The designs are co-created by the local community filled with memories, favourite places, and a reflection of what is important to them.
Local Artist Eliyah Qureshi, and Kinetika Artists Lisa Meehan and Sarah Doyle ran community drawing and design sessions in Ken Aston Square and Fullwell Cross Library. Participants were encouraged to share their knowledge of the history, their own stories and to celebrate what they love about Barkingside.
The Barkingside Community Flags project has enabled Vision’s Redbridge Outdoor Arts to fulfil its aim of creating a sense of place, engaging, and reflecting our communities so everyone feels welcome. The flags will be on display at Redbridge Outdoor Arts events in Barkingside and Ilford throughout 2025.
The Flags
Flag Description Introductory Overview Audio
Photo credit: Mark Massey
Thank you
Thank you to all the local organisations who took part:
BARKINGSIDE 21
Barkingside 21 is a community and environment group – campaigning for a sustainable future, starting as Clayhall Agenda 21 in 1997.
BARKINGSIDE ART CLUB – CREATIVE AMBASSADORS – SPECTRUM STUDIO
Barkingside Art Club Creative Ambassadors are a group of young, emerging artists. They work closely with founder Eliyah Qureshi to deliver art workshops to children in the area, including those with additional needs.
Spectrum Studio is an arts programme and safe space within Barkingside Art Club and is designed for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
Check out this audio where they share their thoughts on the project:
MOSSFORD GREEN PRIMARY SCHOOL
Mossford Green is a local Primary School, they attended a community drawing and design session with 20 children from Years 5 and 6.
Check out this audio where they share their thoughts on the project:
REDBRIDGE ALTERNATIVE PROVISION
Redbridge Alternative Provision (RAP) works with young people who are temporarily out of school. We worked with a small group of artists from Years 10 and 11.
We would also like to thank volunteers and members of the community who came along to our workshops and contributed designs. Including participants from Holy Trinity Church, One Place East and local families.