From left to right: Mural artist Jake Attewell; Deputy Leader of the council, Councillor Saima Ashraf; Leader of the Council, Darren Rodwell; Selina Papa from the project funders the National Lottery Heritage Fund; and Simone Panayi.

Barking’s stunning new heritage mural – on the wall of McDonalds on Short Blue Place – was brought to life in a magical light show on the evening of Wednesday 24 November.

Bertie Sampson, Creative Technologist at Immersive-me, animated the mural using lights, giving the appearance that the elements of Jake Attewell’s work are moving.

Crafts, face-painting, gingerbread, and hot drinks were also available throughout the evening of the show at Short Blue Place.

Simone Panayi, Community Engagement Officer at Be First, said “The animation of this beautiful mural celebrated Barking’s heritage in a very special way.

“It was an opportunity for residents to engage with the past and watch it come to life in front of their very eyes, as if by magic. It’ll be a real head-turner and the perfect family Winter outing.”

The mural was painted by Jake Attewell and commissioned by the council’s regeneration company, Be First, with National Lottery Heritage funding to remind the residents of Barking’s incredible heritage.

Pictured above are from left to right: Mural artist Jake Attewell; Deputy Leader of the council, Councillor Saima Ashraf; Leader of the Council, Darren Rodwell; Selina Papa from the project funders the National Lottery Heritage Fund; and Simone Panayi.

You can see the mural come to life here.