Peckham’s Children Create Public Art
Regenerated Peckham has new public art. Created by the children of Peckham, and symbolising the new generation coming through, the fabulous, colourful, 10ft by 7ft masterpiece was made in Peckham’s Queens Road this week, by Kids Company*, the South London charity that helps 36,000 vulnerable children.
This spectacular and compelling piece of public art shows a cityscape representing Peckham. It is adorned with the children’s hand prints and includes some self-portraits of Peckham’s next generation.
Suzie Curran, from the charity, Kids Company* explains: “We are delighted with this work. Six local artists and a team of Kids Company’s children, spent the whole day yesterday creating this super masterpiece, and it will be displayed in the middle of Peckham so everyone can enjoy it.”
The art will spend September in a prominent location on Queens Road, by the newly refurbished train station. Peckham’s leading estate agent, Gareth James Property, (formerly GJM Property), will be opening its second Peckham branch here in September, and will display the art on its exterior wall.
Gareth James Property sponsored this project as part of an £8,000 donation to the charity. Gareth Mozley, managing director of Gareth James Property said: “The art is superb and reflects the colour and vibrancy of this exciting area. It was a great day working with the children and the team from Kids Company to create the art. They are super children and we will continue our commitment to contributing towards the future of our community’s youngest members.”
After a month, the art will be moved to a more permanent home, either at the station, the South London Gallery or another public location, to be confirmed.
This will be the first time any estate agent has opened a second office in Peckham, demonstrating not only the company’s faith in this extraordinary corner of London, but also in the area’s growth, regeneration and promise for a rosy future.
Camila Batmanghelidjh, founder of Kids Company, commented, “Art is at the heart of Kids Company’s model of care. We are very grateful to Gareth James Property for giving our kids the wonderful opportunity to demonstrate their talents and share their beautiful work for all of Peckham to enjoy.”
Managing Director of Gareth James Property, Gareth Mozley, comments: “Kids Company holds things together and provides hope for thousands of children across Peckham and South London. We are delighted to sponsor this very special and important charity and to be part of Kids Company’s Safe Summer Appeal.** The public art is great. It will certainly make a fine and bright contribution to Peckham and we hope this attention helps raise more money for Kids Company during this critical time for so many of Peckham’s children.
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For further information please see: www.gjmproperty.co.uk or www.kidsco.org.uk
Press contact: Julia Arnold, Sky Communications International, 01403 711 639
email: julia.arnold@skycommunications.co.uk
Editor’s Notes:
*Kids Company
Kids Company was founded by Camila Batmanghelidjh (pictured) in 1996. Kids Company provides practical, emotional and educational support to vulnerable inner-city children and young people. Its services reach 36,000 children across London and Bristol including the most deprived and at risk whose parents are unable to care for them due to their own practical or emotional challenges. The charity provides a safe, caring, family environment where support is tailored to the needs of each individual.
Kids Company’s services and support empower children who have experienced enormous challenges to lead positive and fulfilling lives.
In 2007 Kids Company was awarded the Liberty and JUSTICE Human Rights Award. In 2010 they were selected as a ‘Child Poverty Champion’ by the End Child Poverty project for their success in enabling children to achieve their full potential.
Registered Charity Number: 1068298
**Kids Company Safe Summer Appeal
The summer holidays should be a time of enjoyment. At Kids Company, the children and young people we support don’t count down the days anticipating the fun and freedom to come; they count the days of safety and security they have left before school closes and they must fend for themselves.
One of our young people described her experience of summer: “The lead up to mid-July, the ‘big’ school holidays, always filled me with dread and panic. For other children, the break from school would be one of excitement: trips away, time with families and long days with paddling pools and barbecues. For me, the lack of structure that was round the corner was terrifying. My home life, which was already hanging by a thread, was about to become chaotic and frightening.”
Without access to the basic needs that school provides like regular meals and security, children and young people are exposed to gang activity in their communities and so become exceptionally vulnerable. Gang culture can provide the comfort and sanctuary which most of us find at home and all too often take for granted. Without it, becoming a gang member can be the only appealing alternative to enduring the holidays hungry, lonely and riddled with fear.
Please donate to our Safe Summer Appeal through our Just Giving page. Your contribution will help us protect our children and young people with the crucial support they need. It could mean the difference between neglect and safety; despair and hope.
Gareth James Property
Leading Peckham estate agency Gareth James Property is proud to support and sponsor Kids Company and to offer the use of its new office, next to Queens Road Station, prior to its opening in September. Gareth James Property is an integral part of Peckham, its staff are local and it will be the first estate to open two branches in Peckham. Gareth James Property will be the first estate agent in the area to open a second branch. This too, demonstrates how popular Peckham is becoming and how it’s ‘patch’ is spreading out to Queens Road.
Press Contact:
Julia Arnold
Sky Communications International
44 (0)1403 711 639
julia.arnold@skycommunications.co.uk
Leading Peckham Estate agent
