charles hocking house was built-in acton in 1969 with the aim of providing affordable housing for families in the area. the building is now condemned to be demolished with luxury apartments to be built-in it’s place.
a few weeks back the street artist stik completed a 125ft tall mural running the whole height of charles hocking house. it is the tallest piece of street art in the uk, with an aim at raising awareness about the lack of social housing in the area.
the piece is titled “big mother”. stik’s signature style shows a mother and child looking down from their condemned council estate at all the new luxury apartments that are already being built-in the area surrounding them. this piece is a comment on the lack of social housing in london for those that are most in need.
stik, who was once himself homeless spoke to the independent and had the following to say:
“affordable housing in britain is under threat; this piece is to remind the world that all people need homes.”
“the mother and child symbol are a representation of the family that live in this block.”
“the figures that I have painted are looking down sadly at their neighbourhood which is being developed with luxury apartments and this building is being demolished.”
“while I am drawing on the wall; my role as an artist is to draw from society and social issues, and try to depict what is going on.”
“i’m trying to articulate the voice of the people in stylised way to the world.”
not only is the mural visible from the street and the piccadily line, but also on some of londons flight paths.
charles hocking house, bollo bridge road, south acton w3 8da
A great post and a great mural. Shame that people in affordable housing need a voice – and that the money-hungry councillors and developers of this world aren’t likely to listen
greed is an ugly thing
I LOVE Stik – his street art is so charming that I can’t get enough of it. I found a stock image site that had a photograph of one of stik’s pieces so had to use it on a post, just because I could!
charming is a great word for his work, the simple figures have such personality.
LOVE that mural, and the lack of affordable housing is such a huge issue – we are struggling to find somewhere to rent in our price range here, and we consider ourselves reasonably well off – nowhere wants to take housing benefit- so I really feel for those who rely on it, and you cannot even apply for social housing if it is considered you are in a position to house yourself – so you are stuck in the insecure and over priced private sector. I can only see the situation getting worse unless serious steps are taken soon. *finds a paper bag to live in t’road in*
i have no idea how our children are going to afford to ever buy anything, it’s out of control!
Such a simple but striking piece of art – let’s hope the authorities take note of its message.
well there is always hope, lets see what they do.
It’s gorgeous isn’t it – and such an important message. Mind boggling that at a time where so many are living below the poverty line that such buildings are being pimped up for those with much more money.
fabulous in it’s simplicity and it’s enormity too
What a fabulous piece of art and a great way to drawing attention to such an important issue. I am hearing more and more about this problem and it is worrying that greed and luxury is taking over our land.
everything is labelled as luxury or premium nowadays. surely the point that most of these developers are missing is that actually it’s essential for families to have a safe home and environment to be a family, luxury and premium are a bonus that is not essential.
Love that you highlighted this. The power of a simple image.
stik is the perfect artist to have collaborated on this project because his work is so simple and it’s pure and simple that families need affordable homes not luxury apartments.
Great post! I love that art can be used in this way to raise awareness. Its a great eye catching piece.
it’s a fabulous piece and i really do hope that the council pay attention to what the people need.
As someone who had to wait some time for social housing, the system is full of clusterfucks.I really want to go and see this now for myself.
clusterfuck is such an under used word. it’s quite far west but let me know when your next around and if it’s still there i will take you 🙂
A very clever and poignant piece of art that I hope can make a difference, I’ve not heard of Stik before though! Mich x
i hope so too mich, i hope so too