The artwork on the northbound platform of Enfield Chase Station helps welcome visitors to the borough
A new mural celebrating Enfield’s “historically significant green parks and open spaces” has been launched at one of its railway stations.
The “innovative” Enfield Chase Station artwork has been created on the northbound platform, meaning it’s now the first thing people see when they step off the train when travelling up from central London.
The mural was created by Enfield-based illustrator Kremena Dimitrova, who held arts-based workshops at a local primary school and at Enfield Town Library to help develop ideas. She also engaged in discussions with a knitting group, station users and pub goers, uncovering and visualising ideas, stories and memories which were then “interweaved” with archival research and poetry within the artwork.
Support for the collaborative project came from both The Enfield Society and Friends of Gordon Hill Station, following on from the success of other heritage projects at Gordon Hill one stop further north on the Hertford Loop Line. Together they formed Enfield Chase Station Partnership.
It was decided to create the mural at Enfield Chase because of the station’s importance as the “western gateway to Enfield Town” with its “rich history, culture and bustling market and town centre”.
It has been created on disused advertising hoardings along the back wall of the platform. Other smaller artworks also conceal a boarded door and window.
Dave Cockle from The Enfield Society and John Cole from Friends of Gordon Hill secured funding for the mural project from rail operator Great Northern via its ‘Community Improvement Fund’. As well as the main mural created by Kremena, the other artworks were created by local street-artist Shaypress, who has done many other works around the borough.
A leaflet has also been created for rail travellers to explore further public art close to the station, created by local art student Shan-Jay Daley.
A launch event for the mural and artworks was attended on Saturday (28th) by the mayor of Enfield, Mohammad Islam.
John said: “The mural is full of historical references to the locality teamed with images, local people’s art, local heroes, and walkable poetry, all reflecting Enfield Chase’s diverse community, heritage, and culture.
“For example, the number at the apex of the mural reveals the number of languages and dialects spoken in Enfield.
“The public have been very supportive.”
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