Croydon Stands Tall

Croydon Stands Tall

Homelessness is not a choice, but rather a journey that many find themselves in.

Art Trail and Alec’s Artwork:

Croydon Business Improvement District (BID), in partnership with creative producers Wild in Art, proudly presents the captivating ‘Croydon Stands Tall’ art trail, an unmissable 10-week experience from August 21st to October 27th. Transforming the streets of Croydon into an open-air gallery, the trail features over 30 majestic giant giraffe sculptures, each a unique canvas reflecting the creativity of local artists, schools, and communities. Among these remarkable creations, stands Alec’s giraffe sculpture for the charity Crisis & @centralewhitgift.

This @wildinart Croydon Stands Tall art trail will see dozens of giraffes hit the Croydon streets in August. The piece is called ‘Concrete Jungle’ takes inspiration from the town centre and Croydon’s green spaces. “The thing I love about Croydon most is its complex diversity, not just in its cultures, styles, food, music & ethnicities, but in its landscape & rich heritage, I wanted to represent the borough through a blend of the green of a jungle (as Croydon is one of London’s greenest boroughs) with the more commonly known citified, concrete landscape that dominates the centre. At the same time, it is a mixed-media, abstract eruption of vibrant colour and patterns celebrating the distinctive blend of people in Croydon”. All the money raised from the auctions of the giraffes will go to @crisis_uk to help combat homelessness in Croydon. This art trail is part of London’s borough of culture 2023.

Supporting a Worthy Cause

More than an artistic showcase, the ‘Croydon Stands Tall’ trail serves a greater purpose. Following weeks of admiration, exploration, and engagement, these stunning giraffe sculptures unite for a farewell weekend before embarking on a new journey. Through a special auction event, these artworks will find new homes while raising essential funds for Crisis Skylight Croydon. Crisis Skylight Croydon is dedicated to tackling homelessness and its underlying causes, providing vital support to those in need. By joining the ‘Croydon Stands Tall’ experience, you’re not only embracing the beauty of art but also contributing to meaningful change in the community.

Concrete Jungle has had some great coverage in the press. Being shown on The BBC and ITV as well as many newspapers.

 

Creating a Legacy

After being selected as one of the professional artists to represent the trail I wanted my students to have the experience to exhibit their art in a public space whilst also contributing to their community. A whole school inclusive project where every child submitted at-least one entry to represent our school in design and name. I chose the winner ‘Puzzle’ for the children to paint.

Over 500 fingerprints are represented on Puzzle’s base from all pupils and adults that attend the school 

I have teamed up with some young people to create their own giraffe.

 

After the success of our first Giraffe ‘Puzzle’ we are asked by Croydon Bid to create a second which we named ‘Tropicanta’ Please check out the Croydon Stands Tall App to find out more.

I look forward to working with Wild in Art again soon.

 

Meet Alec

Meet Alec

A short film by Roon Sharma on how I’m trying to harness my platform to promote diversity and inspire the next generation.

A huge thanks to Roon for producing this film and the new Matthews Yard art hub in West Croydon for letting us film there. You can see more of my work on display and even purchase a piece when they re-open on the 26th August.

The Ends Festival 2019

The Ends Festival 2019

Summer 2019 was Croydon’s first Ends Festival where I was the resident artist & my work was scattered around the festival and either side of the main stage. The late Nipsey Hustle was supposed to perform at the festival along with Nas, Damian Marley, Wizkid, Burna Boy etc but was killed months before the festival.

I remember when Nip first burst on the scene many years ago when my cousin Jordan bought him to my attention. A unique style & outlook on life. “While most folks look at the Crenshaw neighbourhood where he grew up and see only gangs, bullets and despair, Nipsey saw potential,” Obama said. 

He saw hope. He saw a community that, even through its flaws, taught him to always keep going. His choice to set an example for young people to follow — is a legacy worthy of celebration. I hold these same values for our Croydon.

I chose to paint his attire in purple (Red & Blue) to portray the peace between LA Blood & Crip Street gangs that Nipseys tragic passing inspired after decades of fighting.

Nipsey Hussle's Impact on Los Angeles One Year After He Passed | Teen Vogue

 I’m honoured to have been commissioned for this piece by the festival & this piece will be hand delivered to his family in LA by one of the festivals leaders as a gift.

Spray paint, Acrylic, posca & gold leaf on bespoke canvas.

Some images of the pieces of art commissioned & some of the people that enjoyed and shared the artworK.