Street-artist Mohammed Ali to unveil mural at Cromer Street Festival
Award-winning artist, curator and producer Mohammed Ali’s new mural will be unveiled at the family friendly street festival, Cromer Street Welcomes the Moon, on Sunday afternoon 4pm - 7pm 13 October, hosted in partnership by Bloomsbury Festival and Camden Alive.
The event will include various activities and performances by Bloomsbury Festival and Camden Alive artists, along with pop-up shops and food stalls.
Mohammed Ali has worked alongside residents of Cromer Street and north-east Bloomsbury to create a new interactive spray painted mural that tells their story, next to Bramber House, on the walls of the plant room visible from Judd Street and Cromer Street.
Over the past few weeks Mohammed Ali has spent time listening and recording the stories of local residents from all different backgrounds and ages, which he has used as inspiration to create the new artwork.
Using the Camden Alive People’s Museum augmented reality app, the stories of the community will also be embedded in the walls. These stories capture the struggles of a community establishing itself and dealing with racism and prejudice. The full length recordings will be available on Bloomsbury Festival’s website.
“Mohammed Ali has worked closely with the Cromer Street community, listening to their stories and their experiences, and using that information he has created an amazing new piece of art. Even more exciting is the fact that not only will people be able to enjoy it visually, using the new augmented reality app, they will also be able to hear the stories that influenced the mural.
“Unveiling Ali’s mural at the festival, and the many other Camden Alive artists who will be there showcasing their work, is a perfect way to come together and celebrate Cromer Street residents and the community.”
As an artist, Mohammed Ali is passionate about sharing and presenting untold stories. In the past he has been commissioned to work internationally with leading galleries, festivals, arts centres and theatres to produce large scale murals in open spaces in the communities where people work, live and play.
Mohammed Ali, Camden Alive artist, said: “The artwork is specific to this location and I feel first and foremost I need to turn my back to the wall and engage with the people. I feel a sense of duty to tell stories of the people surrounding these walls I paint.”
Alongside the mural’s unveiling, Camden’s own Boss B & Brownsilla will perform new tracks from their upcoming album, inspired by research alongside Camden Archives about the borough.
Films exploring the lives of Camden residents through movement and story will also screen in Universal Barbers, made in collaboration with Sidings residents, MA Dance of Film unit at The Place centre for contemporary dance and Camden Alive.
Poet Hannah Lowe and residents of Hillview will reflect on the unique history of the neighbourhood through a visual exhibition of photos, video and live poetry readings.
And Conrad Murray, from hip hop theatre company Beats & Elements, will host a free beatboxing workshop open to everyone.
This project is part of Bloomsbury Festival’s One Square Mile project, funded by Arts Council England.
To find out more head to www.lovecamden.org/camdenalive and @camdenalive
Camden Alive is part of the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture and is a Mayor’s Cultural Impact Award winner.
London Borough of Culture is a Mayor of London initiative with support from the City of London Corporation’s Charity, City Trust Bridge and Airbnb.
Mohammed Ali can be found on social media at instagram @aliaerosol and twitter.com/aerosolali