Artist Turns Dalston Estate Into A "Mythical Kingdom"

M@
By M@ Last edited 153 months ago

Last Updated 30 March 2012

Artist Turns Dalston Estate Into A "Mythical Kingdom"
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This is the Kingsland Estate in Dalston. In the throes of regeneration, it is sparsely occupied and due for demolition later this year. But as the resident population diminishes, a community of strange mythical creatures is colonising the walls.

These five murals are the work of Nazir Tanbouli. The Egyptian-born artist, who has a studio on the estate, will continue adding paintings up until summer, with the blessing of the local housing association.

The project also has a handy news hook. The Kingsland Estate was completed in 1952 and will come down in 2012, matching the Queen's Diamond Jubilee period.

It's not the first time that local housing has been art-ified. In 2009 the I Am Here project saw numerous windows on the neighbouring Haggerston Estate decorated with giant portraits of the remaining residents.

Following demolition, a new development will be built on the site, bringing over 700 new homes to the area.