ISSUE 10 | SPRING 2019 | hackneymagazine.com FREE
GREAT TASTES OF AMERICA THIS SIDE OF ATLANTIC
THE BEST CO-WORKING SPACES
Q&A WITH LOCAL MURAL ARTIST ZABOU
WHAT’S ON, COMMUNITY, FOOD & DRINK, PROPERTY AND SO MUCH MORE
P10 Work.Life London Fields 2 HACKNEY MAGAZINE
SPRING 2019
SPRING 2019 | hackneymagazine.com | ISSUE 10
NEWS & VIEWS
Editor Yasemin Cusack
4-5 Latest news & views
Sub Editor
CULTURE
Michael Daventry
6-7 Your local guide to theatre, exhibitions, shows and music
Reporter
COMMUNITY
Victoria Gray
Edward Rowe
Contributor
8 Interview with the founder of Evolutionary Arts Hackney (EartH), Auro Foxcroft, and Executive Head Chef of the EartH kitchen, Chris Gillard
Graphic Design Umut Senogul
Advertising advertising@hackneymagazine.com 01992 310680
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10 The best co-working spaces in Hackney
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12 Lulu Shanghainese Delicacy & Sake Bar
www.hackneymagazine.com Hackney Magazine is distributed free every quarter to more than 20,000 homes and businesses throughout Hackney.
FOOD & DRINK 14-15 Great tastes of America this side of Atlantic
Published by Metropol Media Ltd Metropol Media Ltd cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Metropol Media Ltd take no responsibility for omissions or errors. Opinions expressed in articles are strictly those of the authors. All rights reserved.
INTERVIEW 18 Q&A with local mural artist Zabou
P 18 Plant A Seed by Zabou Wallis Road, Hackney Wick
ISSUE 10 | SPRING
2019 | hackneymagazine
.com FREE
ON THE COVER Photo: Work.Life London Fields GREAT TASTES OF AMERICA THIS SIDE OF ATLANTIC
Q&A WITH LOCAL MURAL ARTIST ZABOU
FOOD & DRINK,
THE BEST CO-WORKING SPACES
PROPERTY AND
SO MUCH MORE
Photo: Andreas Grieger
WHAT’S ON, COMMUNITY,
14 FOOD
6 WHAT’S ON
7 WHAT’S ON
HACKNEYMAGAZINE.COM
SPRING 2019
HACKNEY MAGAZINE 3
NEWS AND VIEWS 130 years of Clissold Park
T
his summer it will be 130 years since Clissold Park was opened to the public after a long campaign to save the land from development. Clissold Park User Group would like to celebrate this event with a party in the park. This is going to be
Immersive dining experience:
The Murdér Express
I
mmersive dining experts, Funicular, are transporting passengers back to the glamour of the 19th century, with the return of their popular experience, The Murdér Express. Board a 19th Century train carriage at Pedley Street Station, indulge in a fourcourse meal curated by MasterChef 2016 winner, Jane Devonshire, and travel to Murdér, France. You’ll board the lavish carriage with an East End costermonger, a music hall star, a widow in search of
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adventure and a local antique dealer. Dinner will feature Edamame Bean Bruschetta, Roasted Garam Masala Cauliflower, Lamb Three Ways (or Layered Potato Cake with harissa flavours) and Apricot and Ginger Polenta Cake. Despite the name, there’s never been a murder on The Murdér Express, but there’s a first time for everything… Tickets from £53. Until 27th April 2019 Pedley Street Station, Arch 63 Pedley Street E1 5BW funicularproductions.com
a low-key event for local people. The actual birthday is 24 July 2019, but as lots of people are away by then, the event will be on Saturday, 22 June. For more information about Clissold Park 130 Years Celebration Party visit www. clissoldpark.com/events
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The Assembly Market returning to Stoke Newington
T
he Assembly Market is returning with a new showcase of some of the best slow and ethical designers and makers working in fashion, interiors and print, and assembled together by Jannine Newman, founder of Hackney based loungewear company, Under The Cloth. After the response to the first The Assembly Market in November 2018, the event is back by popular demand from both customers and sellers. Jannine says ‘There will be something for everyone; stunning leather bags, gorgeous linen clothing from Rutland, exquisite dresses from London, mid century inspired artwork and prints, terrariums and botanicals, select vintage
homewares, childrenswear, jewellery and bags. It will be an opportunity to come and meet some fabulous brands, from fashion designers Justine Tabak and www.pajotten.com to printmakers www.heraldblack. co.uk and childrenswear designer www.montyandco.com. Everyone is welcome and there will be coffee and cake and a sit down area which was hugely popular at the last market with sellers and customers. This event is about building a dialogue between designers and customers, and this really is one of the most feel-good markets you will find.’ Date: 4-5 May 2019 Venue: Abney Public Hall 73A Stoke Newington Church St, Stoke Newington, N16 0AS
Join Us HackneyMagazine
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SPRING 2019
HACKNEY MAGAZINE 5
WHAT’S ON
Photo: Andreas Grieger
MARCH – APRIL – MAY
Nø Førmat! 15th Anniversary Show
Play/Show/Film THE CRUCIBLE WED 27TH MARCH - SAT 11TH MAY, 2019
A story from the past brought crashing into the present. A world in which lies and truth are indistinguishable. Where hatreds and desires are born, confessed, revenged. Arthur Miller’s (Death of a Salesman, A View From The Bridge) urgent account of a community torn apart by the power of fear, directed by The Yard’s Artistic Director, Jay Miller. 19.30 Monday - Friday, 13.00 & 19.00 Saturdays Tickets: £16 theyardtheatre.co.uk GOODBYE EUROPE FRI 29TH MARCH, 2019
1000 Londoners is the largest documentary series ever made about a city, telling the epic social story of our city today through 1000 documentary portraits of Londoners. It is an anthology of new short films about the London lives of people from each of the 28 nations in the EU. It will show parts of the city that you may never have seen - profiling 6 HACKNEY MAGAZINE
SPRING 2019
Donizetti’s Mary, Queen of Scots
the rich and poor, the young and old, the integrated and the outsiders, from the West End all the way to the ends of the Tube lines. Along with the films, you will see edits of BFI footage from the 50s to today. Doors 19.00, film starts 19.30 Tickets: £5 picturehouses.com NT LIVE: ALL ABOUT EVE THU 11TH MARCH, 2019
Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy night. Broadcast live from the Noël Coward Theatre and starring Gillian Anderson and Lily James in the roles created by Bette Davis and Anne Baxter in the classic 1950 movie, All About Eve is a new adaptation by director Ivo van Hove of Joseph L Mankiewicz’s original screenplay. All About Eve is the story of Margo Channing. Legend. 18.50, Tickets: £15 | £13 riocinema.org.uk
Nt Live: All About Eve
to the stage in their new English version of Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda (Mary, Queen of Scots). Donizetti’s powerful melodies will be performed in a new orchestration by Paul McKenzie for six singers, accompanied by piano, clarinet and violin. 19.30 - 21.45. Tickets: £15-£35 (concessions available) Suitable for 12+ but younger audiences may also enjoy the performance. theoldchurch.org.uk
Exhibition JOAN CORNELLÀ: I’M GOOD THANKS WED 3RD APRIL - SAT 4TH MAY, 2019
Renowned Catalan artist, Joan Cornellà, returns to London with a solo exhibition that invites us to peer into his dystopic vision of contemporary life. Having amassed over 7 million followers on social media, Cornellà has achieved global acclaim through his instantly recognisable mix of pitch black
DONIZETTI’S MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS (MARIA STUARDA) MON 1ST APRIL - SAT 13TH APRIL, 2019
Olivier Award-winning OperaUpClose bring two ferocious 16th-century Queens
Goodbye Europe
humour and deeply unsettling imagery. publicgallery.co MANDY EL-SAYEGH CITE YOUR SOURCES FRI 12TH APRIL - SUN 9TH JUNE, 2019. OPENING: THU 11 APRIL, 18.3020.30
Chisenhale Gallery presents a new commission and first solo exhibition in an institution by Mandy El-Sayegh. El-Sayegh’s large-scale paintings, works on paper and object-based installations move between linguistic, material and corporeal registers, often creating double meanings that signal a breakdown in everyday systems and orders. The London-based artist will be using all the gallery space available at Chisenhale, from the walls to the floor visitors walk on. chisenhale.org.uk
Music NØ FØRMAT! 15TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW - FEATURING OUMOU SANGARÉ, GERALD TOTO & QUE VOLA
Tots Tunes French-Cuban jazz collective Que Vola?. Tickets: £22.00 earthackney.co.uk
Family TOTS TUNES @ VORTEX JAZZ CLUB WEEKLY THURSDAYS @ VORTEX
WED 10TH APRIL, 2019, 19.00 - 23.00
JAZZ CLUB 10:00 & 11:00
Respected French independent label Nø Førmat! will celebrate its 15th birthday with a label showcase at EartH venue. Headlined by an exclusive acoustic live set-up from Grammy-winner Oumou Sangaré, the show will also include sets by Gérald Toto and latest Nø Førmat! signing,
Tots Tunes and Tots Gigs are two of SoundsCreative Projects local neighbourhood projects founded by local cellist, composer and social entrepreneur, Tara Franks. Tots Tunes are interactive, energetic parent and baby classes combining learning original tunes and songs from around the world with a bit
Books Recommended by Pages of Hackney
MOTHERS BY CHRIS POWER £8.99 PAPERBACK, FABER & FABER
A skillful and sensitive debut collection of short stories, centering around characters who are at odds with their lives in different ways. Chris Power
The Crucible of a workout! It is for local parents who want to connect with other like-minded people in the neighbourhood and have a bit of fun, listen to and sing some quality ‘non-baby’ acoustic music. The Tots Tunes experience is for parents and
has a remarkable knack for capturing stories where what is unknowable about life is rendered as a tangible presence, alongside loneliness, desire, chaos and epiphany - making it hard to believe this is his first published book. Highly recommend! FRIDAY BLACK BY NANA KWAME ADJEI-BRENJAH £12.99 HARDBACK, PUBLISHED BY RIVERRUN
This mindblowing dystopian short story collection was written in response
little ones (0-5 yr olds), to shake, stomp and sing. £7 for one adult and one tot £3 extra sibling £5 extra adult (grandparent, friend) Drop in, pay on the door. Led by Cellist Tara Franks soundscreativeprojects.co.uk
to the cruel prejudice of the US justice system and explores racism and capitalism in America. The prose is at once surreal, tender, brutal and full of wonder. It’s easy to see why this timely book is making waves...a must read. As Nana Kwame says himself, ‘I’m interested in the way we dehumanise one another, and in our capacity for good despite the insidious hatred and fear all around us. These stories were tough to write. And yet in that space of difficulty and fear, I find necessity and purpose.’
HACKNEYMAGAZINE.COM
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HACKNEY MAGAZINE 7
VIVA Est: 2012
Chris Gillard
Auro Foxcroft
EartH, Hackney’s New Arts Centre By Victoria Gray
T
he stretch of road that begins as Kingsland High Street and ends at Stoke Newington Road used to be home to three cinemas. Only one, the beloved Rio, remains. Salvation has come for the Savoy, whose main cinema has lain empty since it closed in the 1977, in the form of a new project - Evolutionary Arts Hackney, or EartH. With funding from Big Issue Invest, The Arts Impact Fund and Triodos Bank, the company behind Village Underground are developing the building into an arts centre, complete with a music studio, all-day restaurant and two venues for performances. We spoke to Village Underground founder, Auro Foxcroft, and Executive Head Chef of the new EartH kitchen, Chris Gillard, about their plans for the venue.
Auro Foxcroft - EartH Why is Dalston the most exciting place to open a new arts centre now? Dalston is a great neighbourhood, but for me it’s really Hackney as a whole that I love. Despite all the crazy change and gentrification, it’s
people with those opportunities. I want to encourage apprentices, so people can see it’s something they’d like to do, and see that there’s a route to get there. I would love to be staffing the kitchen with people who say they’ve grown up round the corner and enjoy the space as somewhere to come and work.
still a beautiful place with so many amazing people doing brilliant things. What will be the “vibe” - is it part of the evolution of Hackney itself or creating a new scene? We want to build a broad church. We can do so much more programming with these spaces. The music side has started really well; now it’s on to different performance art forms. We want to grow EartH into a place that represents. Did the licensing laws debate affect plans at all? Did it come during negotiations?
Hackney Council were understandably very thorough with our application, but ultimately were really supportive. Part of that was the overwhelming public backing. We got over 400 letters of support in two days. It was amazing to watch it go viral across the borough and really beautiful to read everyone’s thoughts and hopes for what we were trying to do.
Chris Gillard: EartH Kitchen How do the social projects look in the kitchen? We need to be encouraging HACKNEYMAGAZINE.COM
What drew you to this project? It’s physically close to home, but also emotionally close to home. I feel that I’ve done my time in terms of exploring finedining restaurant experiences. But this is going to be a neighbourhood restaurant. I feel like I’m cooking for my mates - in the nicest possible way. How will it be different to all the other restaurants in Dalston? We have our own ideals and mission statement, so it would be nice to be a trendsetter in that respect. What’s special is that it’s people who are doing things from the heart: there’s someone who used to be a sound engineer at Village Underground who has done the ‘I’m going to do the good life’ thing and set up a pig farm in South Wales, who will be supplying meat for instance. SPRING 2019
HACKNEY MAGAZINE 9
THE BIRDCAGE BAR + KI TCH EN
58 Stamford Hill, London N16 6XS thebirdcageN16.co.uk • @thebirdcageN16 Tel: 020 8806 9077
The best co-working spaces in Hackney
T
he popularity of co-working has increased in recent years as more working spaces have become available to start-ups, freelancers and corporate companies. Market researchers project that there will be 21,306 coworking spaces worldwide by the end of 2019. Large corporations choosing the new workspaces over leased offices, as well as small businesses. HSBC has moved 300 of its staff into coworking spaces. Microsoft and IBM have also chosen to have some of their employees work from coworking spaces. 1.9 million people are predicted to be working in co-working spaces worldwide by the end of 2019. We have picked a few of the most popular spaces in Hackney so you can decide which one works best for your business.
FIRST CO-WORKING SPACE IN HACKNEY
The Trampery, a social enterprise that funnels profits back into supporting its 500-business member community, was the first coworking space in Hackney; opening its first workspace at Dereham Place in 2009. They currently have two workspaces in East London: The Trampery Old Street and The Trampery on the Gantry at Here East, which had its official launch in February, attended by The Trampery’s Patron, HRH The Duke of York. The Trampery on the Gantry is a vertical village of sustainable studios for Hackney Wick’s creative community. Each studio at The Trampery on the Gantry
Work.Life London Fields
includes 24-hour access with a personalised intercom, highspeed internet, a sink, electric heating, as well as both shower facilities and secure bike parking on-site. The Trampery Old Street has a 50-desk shared workspace, housing an energetic community of emerging entrepreneurs & small businesses. Like many co-working spaces The Trampery venues also host events and workshops. thetrampery.com
AREAWORKS
Areaworks, Hoxton, is located next to Regents Canal where SMEs, start-ups and freelancers can gather to work. They have 28 full-time working desks and 56 flexible desks in their historic building. It opens from 9am to 6pm with 24-hour access available on request. Areaworks currently has a branch in Manor House and one in Shoreditch will be open soon. Daily hire, causal membership, and flexible desk are options. You can have your drink at the roof terrace that has instaworthy views across London. areaworks.com
WORK.LIFE
Based in London Fields Work.Life is a workspace for freelancers, start-ups and SMEs. They have different membership levels you can sign up for to make the most of the space and facilities, from super flexible pay as you go hotdesking to private offices. The memberships include 7-day-a-week access to all WL locations, fast internet, meetings rooms, printing, weekly wellness days, and collaborative working opportunities. work.life
The Trampery
SECOND HOME LONDON FIELDS
Second Home has private studios for teams of 1 to 130, and permanent spaces for individuals and teams of up to 100. All spaces are filled with plants and trees. Membership benefits include: five-days free access each month to all sister Second Home spaces in London, Lisbon and LA, an onsite nursery run by N Nursery & Family Club, showers with Malin+Goetz products and fresh towels, and more. The event spaces also host talks and workshops for members which run throughout the year. secondhome.io HACKNEYMAGAZINE.COM
READERS OFFER:
THE TRAMPERY ON THE GANTRY OFFERS DISCOUNT FOR HACKNEY MAGAZINE READERS: Double-storey studios at 760 square feet will be offered at £1500/ month for the first three Hackney Magazine readers who apply.
SPRING 2019
HACKNEY MAGAZINE 11
Est. 1991
Ivory Boutique Women Clothing Spring 2019
188a Stoke Newington High St, London N16 7JD | Phone: 020 7275 0121
Lulu
Shanghainese Delicacy & Sake Bar Review
L
ulu is actually a Chinese restaurant which is more like a bar because of its neon pink sign. We decided to give up on judging this restaurant because of its sign and try Lulu’s dishes. The restaurant plays a relaxing Chinese music inside. We told them we don’t drink alcohol (it has been 6 months). The owner of the restaurant Lulu recommended fresh coconut water.
As if Lulu read our minds. Coconut water was a good decision. We started our journey of Chinese food with sticky rice, meat dumplings, and pan grilled veg dumpling. The squishy, delicious dumplings were beyond our expectations. Pan fried veg dumplings came in green. Our waiter Thomas informed us the colour comes from spinach not artificial colourings. Lulu is from Shanghai and she has
lived in England since the age of 8. She is young, talented and passionate about Chinese food. She said unfortunately there aren’t enough authentic Chinese restaurants in London. Most of the dishes on the menu consist of dishes learnt from her grandmother. We ordered Gailan with Ginger, Special Shanghai GrandmaStyle Braised Pork Belly, Special Shanghai Spring
Onion Noodle in Soy Sauce, King Prawns with Green Paper and Black Bean Sauce, and, Cucumber Salad. These dishes are beyond a cheap Chinese take-away. They can even make you addicted. We paid £30 per person. We ate enough, but there is more to taste. We’ll stop by this restaurant again. 24 Stoke Newington Church St, Stoke Newington, London N16 0LU Tel: 020 7249 1101
Pan fried veg dumplings
Bespoke wedding and birthday cakes made to order - Viennoiseries - French bread - Chocolates - Macaroons
www.belleepoque.co.uk Newington boutique N16 020 7249 2222
Islington boutique N1 020 8001 8295
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Selfridges W1
HACKNEY MAGAZINE 13
19/05/2017 15:10
FOOD & DRINK
Great tastes of America this side of Atlantic Hackney is home to a fantastic range of restaurants with cuisines from all over the world, but for some quality comfort food, it’s worth turning to the Yanks. By Victoria Gray
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For a burger
If you like your burgers sloppy, and haven’t tried Baggio Burger, you’re in luck. In the Sebright Arms the burgers range from Americana to Topolino, all deliciously juicy and quite literally dripping in flavour. Baggio Burger @ The Sebright Arms, 31-35 Coate Street, E2 9AG sebrightarms.com
For bbq: Smokestak
Low and slow is the name of the game in the Southern United States. And it’s no different at Smokestak, where brisket is smoked for 15 hours before making up their famous buns. Mix in grilled vegetables and pulled pork and you’ve got a feast. 35 Sclater Street, E1 6LB smokestak.co.uk
For tacos, American-style
Americans love Mexican food so much that Americanstyle tacos are practically their own cuisine. Del 74 serves up such American-style tacos alongside of drinks so strong you’ll need to order double. Del 74, 129 KingslandHigh Street, E8 2PB tacosdel74.com
For a brunch
And what’s an American style night out without a tasty breakfast the next day? Cafe Miami’s brunch menu is dominated by its pancakes, with a suitably art-deco décor to transport you straight to Florida. Cafe Miami, 24 Lower Clapton Road, E5 0PD cafemiami.co.uk
For a pizza slice
New Yorkers love their pizza slices, but the trend never really caught on this side of the pond - until Voodoo Rays came along. Pick from a range of slice toppings, and eat them with beer and cocktails until all hours. Why go anywhere else? Voodoo Rays 95 Kingsland High Street, E8 2PB voodoorays.com
For a real reuben sandwich Mark Ogus who founded Monty’s couldn’t find his ideal Reuben sandwich, so he set upon himself to get inject some proper New York-style Jewish food into the capital. From bagels to chicken soup, you can spend all day indulging in it at Monty’s. Monty’s, 227-229 Hoxton Street, N1 5LG montys-deli.com
For wings: Randy’s Wing Bar The humble chicken wing is an essential to sport-watching Americans, but at Randy’s Wing Bar, every day is wing day. Bringing the US wing passion to Hackney, the Hackney Wick branch is the place to try all sorts of wing flavours. 28 East Bay Lane, E15 2GW randyswingbar.co.uk
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HACKNEY MAGAZINE 15
Call Stork Removals on 020 8366 6644 for free estimate, free boxes & free advice
info@storkremovals.co.uk www.storkremovals.co.uk
PROPERTY Prime location:
The Omnium
Nestled neatly between Shoreditch and Haggerston, The Omnium is proof that a truly great home perfectly blends great design with a prime location.
F
orming part of the wider regeneration of the Colville Estate, The Omnium, N1, is a premium development of one, two, three and four bedroom apartments and duplexes. Thoroughly contemporary in their design, yet equally homely, each apartment has been designed to deliver the very best in modern living. The quality of life on offer here is second-to-none. From the landscaped courtyards that nurture the strong neighbourhood spirit to the development’s location, moments from the peacefulness of Regent’s Canal and Shoreditch Park and the eclectic attractions of Haggerston and Hoxton – life here is for enjoying. This corner of East London needs little introduction and, conveniently, The Omnium is perfectly placed between three of its most popular areas. To the south you have Shoreditch and Hoxton, the often parodied capitals of London’s cool. For all their skinny jeans though, with their eclectic mix of bars, eateries, fashion and galleries, their reputations are well deserved. A fact that their bustling streets are testament to each weekend. With a laid-back, neighbourly ambience, Haggerston acts as the perfect counter to the buzz of Shoreditch and Hoxton. That’s not to say it’s short of attractions. This is a place where small independent shops and restaurants still flourish. In fact, in recent years it’s enjoyed a spate of openings and even has its own canal-side riviera – perfect for whiling away sunny days or balmy evenings. Just over a ten-minute walk away is Haggerston station, which offers London Overground services. Seven minutes from Haggerston station, Whitechapel’s Crossrail line will put Liverpool Street, Canary Wharf, Stratford and Bond Street all under 10 minutes away. For cyclists, the Regent’s Canal towpath is a popular route, enabling you to reach
The Omnium is perfectly placed between three of its most popular areas. To the south you have Shoreditch and Hoxton, the often parodied capitals of London’s cool. Islington and King’s Cross quickly and easily. There are also numerous bus services available. In short, wherever you’re headed, it won’t take you long to get there. Combined with this incredible location are the apartments themselves.
Every single one is designed to maximise both space and light, combined with a quality specification that will not leave you wanting. You’ll be able to enjoy a handleless fitted kitchen with integrated Smeg appliances for all your entertaining needs, whilst items such as fitted wardrobes, contemporary sanitary ware and engineered hardwood flooring turn these apartments into a stylish and convenient home. The Omnium has been an incredible success with only 6 apartments left on the whole development. A small selection of one and three bedroom homes are available. Call the sales office on 020 3487 0021 to arrange a viewing today. Or visit theomnium.london for more information.
HACKNEYMAGAZINE.COM
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HACKNEY MAGAZINE 17
INTERVIEW
Q&A Zabou
By Yasemin Bakan Cusack
Z
abou is a French street artist and painter, based in East London. Since 2012, she has been travelling the world to spread her artistic message of love, fun and rebellion. Working mostly with spray paint, Zabou produces giant black and white portraits with colourful backgrounds, creating both striking and thought-provoking artworks. Her works are exhibited at prestigious galleries, such as Saatchi Gallery in London. Tell us about yourself. How did you first get into painting? I moved to London from France for my studies and fell in love with this city. I’ve been drawing and painting since little but had never tried spray painting. I was so impressed by the local graffiti and street art scene here that it pushed me to make my first steps into spraying. I started by making stencils and over the years, as my style evolved, I switched to free-hand painting. I’m now a full-time artist, travelling around the globe to create murals and do what I love most. Can you tell us about your latest work David Bowie portrait in Hackney? I painted the mural back in December on Ada Street, next to Broadway Market. I wanted to create a tribute portrait of David Bowie as he is such an inspiring figure, hero and music genius to so many Londoners and beyond. The artwork depicts Bowie with his famous Ziggy Stardust make-up, on a red and blue background. Capturing faces is not the easiest discipline. Which of the portraits that you’ve painted challenged you the most?
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Zabou
Portraits are indeed a real challenge. The more I paint, the more I understand the volumes, highlights and shadows, the eyes and all the other key elements that make a face look alive. My biggest challenge to date may be a recent commission in Beeston Beeston, Nottinghamshire, that features the portraits of Paul Smith, Richard Beckinsale and Edwin Starr. The full mural is 35m large so the scale of the faces was gigantic.
it can take a lot of research to seek images and information. I then draw my sketch using a graphic tablet directly onto the photo of the space, so it can be adapted to its architecture (door, windows, pipe, etc.). When I’m on site, I start by drawing the outlines and then slowly fill in the background and the characters. Painting in the street can be a real challenge as it is physically exhausting and weather dependant. Something always goes wrong!
When it comes to starting a mural, what does the process involve? Logistically in terms of the scale, but also mentally and emotionally? How do you decide what to paint? First, I need to come up with a design, using photos and dimensions of the space. Sometimes I take my inspiration from the history of the city, the social and environmental context, or an inspiring person who lived there. Sometimes it’s a random idea! Once the subject is picked,
What about this neighbourhood/city? How has it changed since you’ve moved here? I’ve lived in East London for the last seven years, and so much has changed since I first moved here. The biggest change has been the face of many streets or even whole areas where old buildings are taken down in order to build new accommodation; small shops are being replaced with big chains, etc. People with lower incomes and often creatives have to move further
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and further out of the city centre. A lot of street art and graffiti is being destroyed in the process, and the public space become sadly blank and sanitised. What inspires you to keep creating? To see the impact and positive effects of the murals on people’s daily lives. To inspire. To brighten the world one wall at a time. Do you have any plans for any future murals? If so, can you give us some details? There will be more murals around East London, but it can be a slow process as I’m often travelling abroad. My next murals will be in France, Italy, Cyprus and Haiti. Your favourite places in Hackney? My favourite place to wander is definitely Regent’s Canal and Victoria Park. I love to grab a beer at The Dove in Broadway Market and watch a movie at the Hackney Picturehouse.
Zabou has recently completed a new Bowie mural on Ada street in London Fields. HACKNEYMAGAZINE.COM
SPRING 2019
HACKNEY MAGAZINE 19
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