The mural installation in Eastlake Road
Thank you for taking the time to write to us about the new mural on the corner of Coldharbour Lane and Eastlake Road.
We completely understand why you were concerned about not being consulted. Your letter reflects the pride that you and your neighbours take in Eastlake Road and your commitment to the local area. We appreciate you raising your concerns with us and, as a community organisation, we genuinely value feedback that helps us improve how we work.
Our aim has always been to commission public art that celebrates Camberwell’s history and character while contributing positively to the public realm. We believe that championing public creativity strengthens local identity, encourages community pride, and ensures that artistic expression remains a lively and valued part of Camberwell’s character.
It may be helpful if we explain how this project came about.
The Camberwell Society has supported a number of murals in Camberwell, including at Masterman House, Burgess Park, the Piano Factory on Peckham Road and under the railway bridge on Camberwell Station Road. In each case, we have worked in partnership with local schools, artists and community groups and have carried out public consultation before deciding whether to support a project.
For this project, the owner of 144 Coldharbour Lane was interested in having a mural on the building. Around the same time, mural artist Shauna Anseo gave a talk at one of the Camberwell Talks at St Giles’ Church and asked whether we knew of any suitable walls for a future project. As we were already in contact with the building owner, we introduced them.
Shauna then generously volunteered her time to develop the project, including running workshops with Year 11 pupils at Sacred Heart School to help inform the artwork. A public consultation on the initial concepts and designs was held at Loughborough Junction station, the busiest nearby location, and the feedback received was positive.
Your letter has, however, highlighted an important omission in our consultation process. Although the building is on Coldharbour Lane, the completed mural faces Eastlake Road and is experienced most directly by residents there. We should have ensured that Eastlake Road residents were specifically included in the consultation, for example by delivering leaflets to the street, as we have done on other projects. We are sorry that we overlooked this.
We are grateful that you took the time to raise this with us. It has prompted us to review our approach, and in future we will ensure that consultation for public art projects includes not only the street on which a building stands, but also neighbouring streets whose residents are directly affected by the artwork.
Eastlake Road has a fascinating history and, as your letter demonstrates, a community that cares deeply about its neighbourhood and the quality of its public spaces. We would welcome the opportunity to work with you and your neighbours on future ideas or projects that celebrate and enhance the area. This could include stories and memories of residents that we can share on our website.
Thank you again for writing to us. We hope this explains how the project developed, acknowledges where our consultation could have been better, and demonstrates our commitment to learning from your feedback. We are publishing this letter on our website www.camberwellsociety.org.uk .
With best wishes,
Nick Mair
Chair, Camberwell Society
LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN
