An Innovative Public Art Commission
A Portrait of Southgate 2025 (Alex McHallam & Liz Tiranti) is a mosaic trail along has been Chase Side, Southgate, London, N14. It was commissioned by Enfield Council as part of the Journeys and Places scheme (funded by Arts Council and Mayor of London). Consisting of 28 mosaic roundels each measuring 50cm across, the artwork depicts local history, local heroes and places of interest in Southgate and reflects the rich diversity of the local area. What makes it so original is that the mosaic roundels are suspended from trail redundant hanging basket frames along the road.
The work is the result of a collaboration between the artists and the whole community, as local people were encouraged to suggest where the work should be and what they felt it should represent and then were invited to help make them. Durants, a local special needs school was also included. The artists themselves came up with the idea of using the hanging basket frames as they realised that there were so many great stories to tell that a single artwork would not do them justice.
Themes covered include the story of Enfield Chase as a local royal hunting ground; early local industry such as a blacksmiths and ice wells, Thomas Lipton, the Walker family, the Royalty Nightclub, the iconic underground station as well as celebrating fondly remembered local businesses such as Howarths, Mr Fothergills, Rodwins and Beatties of Southgate. The diversity of the area is celebrated by a series of mosaics each depicting a bird from the geographic regions represented in the area depicted against a background of a textile from the region.
Local reaction has been very positive – a walk around the mosaics by the artists back in May drew a large crowd and the mosaics regularly keep popping up on social media. Each mosaic has its own story, and the best thing is that the mosaics are a permanent addition to the area. So next time you’re going up Chase Side Southgate, don’t forget to look up. And if you’ve ever wondered why there’s a French flag flying at the back of Christ Church Southgate, scan the QR code on the hangers, or visit https://letstalk.enfield.gov.uk/5370/widgets/119299/documents/81130
Alex McHallam 