Artists reach out to wildlife with Upper Street mural

The mural

ARTISTS have painted a mural of bees and butterflies at the new Islington Square complex in Upper Street.

Artist Jo Hicks said: “Islington is a nostalgic place for me because I used to live on Canonbury Road, my godmother lives there.

“I have had a lot of history in the area.”

She worked alongside an artist known as Dr Zadok on the painting.

“My work often works around botanical stuff,” she said. “It is nice to bring nature scenes in urban locations.

Jo Hicks

“It is also to encourage more sustainability and encourages everyone to make use of every corner they have to grow.”

The mural was organised by Islington Square, a new hub of shops in the old Royal Mail Sorting and Delivery Centre. It was funded by Cain International, a privately held real estate investment firm operating in Europe and the United States.

Dr Zadok

Its senior managing director Richard Pilkington said: “The idea behind this mural was to bring something that would positively impact the wellbeing of the local community, an important pillar that has shaped many of our public initiatives and future plans for seasonal planting at Islington Square.”

He added: “Jo Hicks and Dr Zadok’s new art mural responds to a public vote which showcased an appetite for greenery in Islington.

“Our ultimate hope is that it will brighten up the day for anyone walking by.”