Chinese Community Centre | Artist - TAG. Installed July/August 2013

In mid-April 2013, TAG submitted an artwork proposal to the Chinese Community Centre, N15. Over three months later, its final brushwork was completed, by the people who walked by this stretch of paving, on Sunday 4th August. It was a very special day spent painting. Once finished, the full breadth of the task became apparent. As did the emotion, at journey's end, when a vision which was once just paper, became reality. A journey had been played out on the grey slabs fronting 211 Langham Road, N15. A month of glorious summer had gifted the conditions for growth. Scores, maybe more, had passed by. Many compelled to give thanks. The positive reaction, at times, overwhelming.

And so it seemed only right, as we sensed the final phase was entered, that the individuals sharing our streets should share in the picture we were forming. And over a long afternoon, TAG stopped the people in the street, and put a brush in their hand. We wanted this artwork to be about them.

Thanks to all those who painted petals - Vivien, Sarah, Esra, Anne-Marie, Colin, Zara, Shannon, Reniah, Alexia, Ruby-Rose, Clara, Monika, Catalina, and many more.

TAG would like to thank all at the Haringey Chinese Community Centre - for their trust, enthusiasm, generosity, and blank canvas. It took many hands to realise, with many new friends made along the way. Truly a piece of community art.

All artwork, text and images © Turnpike Art Group 2022.

Fragrance clings to the hand that gives you flowersArtist - TAG. Installed July 2013

In mid-April 2013, TAG submitted an artwork proposal to the Chinese Community Centre, N15. Over three months later, its final brushwork was completed, by the people who walked by this stretch of paving, on Sunday 4th August. It was a very special day spent painting.

Once finished, the full breadth of the task became apparent. As did the emotion, at journey's end, when a vision which was once just paper, became reality. A journey had been played out on the grey slabs fronting 211 Langham Road, N15. A month of glorious summer had gifted the conditions for growth. Scores, maybe more, had passed by. Many compelled to give thanks. The positive reaction, at times, overwhelming.

And so it seemed only right, as we sensed the final phase was entered, that the individuals sharing our streets should share in the picture we were forming. And over a long afternoon, TAG stopped the people in the street, and put a brush in their hand. We wanted this artwork to be about them.

Thanks to all those who painted petals - Vivien, Sarah, Esra, Anne-Marie, Colin, Zara, Shannon, Reniah, Alexia, Ruby-Rose, Clara, Monika, Catalina, and many more.

Artwork created by James Straffon

All artwork, text and images © Turnpike Art Group 2022.

The artist at work

Photo © Nevs Hamling 2013

All artwork, text and images © Turnpike Art Group 2022.

Our Cranes fly in to the picture

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All artwork, text and images © Turnpike Art Group 2022.

Working on a knife edge

Hand-cut masking tape stencils. The ultimate test in artistic temperament.

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All artwork, text and images © Turnpike Art Group 2022.

Late summer blossom not far away

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All artwork, text and images © Turnpike Art Group 2022.

Tale of the tape

Further advancement with our shutter project. Time to consider shares in masking tape...

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All artwork, text and images © Turnpike Art Group 2022.

Branching out

Progress continues on the HCC shutter project.

Photo © James Caig 2013

All artwork, text and images © Turnpike Art Group 2022.

Mount Tai

TAG's proposal for a traditional chinese-style mural to cover the shutters of our local Chinese Community Centre was openly embraced by all of its members. We received many encouraging comments on submission of our idea

"It's beautiful and a good display of Chinese art and culture."

"..a very lovely image that would definitely help the HCC build up a good image and impression to the neighbourhood."

"Very excited to see the new look."

In addition, some useful cultural suggestions helped complete our picture - water was added to the scene - this to bring good fortune and wealth.

On request, TAG had also researched the inclusion of one of China's most historical and culturally significant mountains - Mount Tai. One of the "Five Great Mountains", this land form is associated with sunrise, birth, and renewal. And has been a place of worship for over 3,000 years.

Spanning the full width of the shutter-frontage, this mountain-scape includes the tallest point, known as the Jade Emperor Peak.

We found the best means to delicately create a mist-enshrouded vista was by sponging; gradually building up layers, across a masked cut-out of the Mount Tai horizon. Our sponge-of-choice? A pack of Baby Wash Soft Sponges from Poundland.

All artwork, text and images © Turnpike Art Group 2022.

If you want happiness for a lifetime, help someone else.

With London temperatures heading for the nineties, logic suggests seeking the shade, and avoiding those UV rays. But with an exciting TAG project entering its prep phase, it was time to grab a brush, a can of primer, and a tube of Factor 50.

Our Chinese Community Centre project is well under way. Its first weekend providing a heart-warming illustration of how art can inspire; there's nothing better than a blank canvas to beckon the creatively inclined. So it was, with first-day application of metal primer over fourteen square metres of shuttering, and then Sunday's pure white brushwork; many hands made light work of readying our canvas for the illustrative splendour to follow. Paty, a former street art author from Madrid could not resist the tagging opportunity. Chinese friends alike, dragged a loaded brush in participatory glee. For two consecutive afternoons, our local act of street theatre attracted many willing players.

All artwork, text and images © Turnpike Art Group 2022.

On a roll

The two-dimensional plans for major new TAG project comprise twenty-one AO-size prints. Within this tight roll of carefully researched splendour lies three blossoming Plum trees, a sacred mountain, and two majestic crane birds.

All artwork, text and images © Turnpike Art Group 2022.