If one finds the secluded tunnel between Victorian terrace houses on Shepherdess Walk, and picks up the courage to go down the steps and out along the ivy-hung walls, one arrives in a very peaceful and classically contemplative corner of Shepherdess Walk Park, which has recently been bedecked with beautiful mosaic murals.
These murals, created by Tessa Hunkin and a team of dedicated volunteers from Lifeline Workshop and the local community, beautify a formerly neglected corner of the park. Although initially created for the 2012 Olympic Games, these mosaics celebrate the past and present of Hackney and its green spaces, which were formerly fields. They draw their inspiration from ancient Roman mosaics, but look more closely, and you'll spot more modern items such as a smartphone, i-pod and a leaf blower.
The mosaics celebrate the past, with images of the eponymous shepherdesses and their sheep. The route was once a well-worn path through fields, along which the flocks would travel. The other mosaics feature a celebration of Hackney's parks and green spaces throughout the seasons. There are also panels celebrating the makers themselves. Two pavement murals depicting highly detailed plant life have recently been completed
The will official unveiling of the Shepherdess Park Mosaics is on 10 October (2-4pm), starting at Murray Grove, where the Mosaic Project is based. These mosaics are indeed a wonderful celebration of community.
More information and images can be found at the Mosaic Project website.
With Thanks to The Gentle Author of Spitalfields Life for the tip-off.