Residents unveil giant 'animated' mural

The Priory Court Unity Banner appears to animate when seen through the artist's special viewer app

A six-storey high mural has been unveiled on a housing block in east London, inspired by the memories of those living on the estate.

The Priory Court Unity Banner in Walthamstow was created by the street artists INSA, along with local residents, who shared their stories in workshops as part of a project celebrating the heritage of the community.

The giant artwork illustrates the area's links to the sewing trade and the artist William Morris, nods to the global diversity of residents and celebrates nature and community.

It has been created as an "augmented reality" artwork, so that it appears to animate as a moving GIF when looked at through a special viewer app.

Ideas for the theme of the mural were developed during estate-wide resident consultations, which included face-to- face interviews, focus groups and workshops.

'Tells a wonderful story'

Young people engaged in the project by learning some of INSA's painting techniques, while some older residents contributed by making appliques that were sewn on to the mural.

Mustafa, a trainee mural assistant, said it "meant a lot" to him to work on the project.

"I learned a lot of things, a lot of skills I didn't know about before."

He added that "everyone smiles" when they look at the mural.

Ibrahim, who helped produce the work, said he thought it would make the community "stronger and more connected".

"I think the mural is absolutely incredible. You can just look at it and you can see that it tells a wonderful story."