Creative Croydon 2022

Meet the artists behind Creative Croydon 2022

Creative Croydon brings the work of celebrated local artists to our streets. In our first instalment, we decided to highlight art depicting some of Croydon’s notable places and spaces. The artworks, created by Kate Marsden, Gavin Kinch, Tina Crawford, Lis Watkins, and Bev Jones, were exhibited on over 40 lamp post banners across Central Croydon. This initiative infused vibrancy and creativity into our wintery streets as we prepared to become the London Borough of Culture.

Kate Marsden

Kate lives in South London and has a background in Fashion & Textile Design and Surface Pattern Design. Her mixed media paintings, drawings and prints are the result of many years of experimentation alongside her more graphic, illustrative design based work. A desire to alter the viewer’s perception of her subject matter has long been her desired outcome, whether this be via the subversion of a traditional subject, or the beautification of something considered to be ugly or undesirable. Kate’s work can be seen in private collections as well as commercial commissions including at Croydon’s Fairfield Halls.

What does it mean to you to be part of the Creative Croydon exhibition?

“I’m really excited about the exhibition. All the banners look amazing and complement each other so well – can’t wait to take a walk and see my work all over town!”

Where do you go in Croydon for creative inspiration?

“At the moment I’m mostly in my new studio at Grafton Square – so here (and the view of a building from my window!). I’m one of those annoying people who find inspiration everywhere, but I’m mostly inspired by Croydon’s architecture, so again just walking around the streets (and making sure I always look up!).”

What are you particularly looking forward to about Croydon becoming the London Borough of Culture next year?

“It’s such a fantastic opportunity to showcase the wide range of diverse talent in the arts in Croydon, and to show those who dismiss it what an inspiring and vibrant place it is. I’m also looking forward to getting involved personally, and discovering lots of wonderful new creative people.”

Follow Kate on Instagram.

Gavin Kinch

Inspired by the dark, towering splendour of brutalist architecture, Gavin’s mesmerising cityscapes have become synonymous with Croydon since he started drawing his hometown in 2015. As The Town That Love Built, his captivating artwork spans walls in Centrale, AMP House, Fairfield Halls, St George’s Tower and thousands of homes and businesses across the country.

What does it mean to you to be part of the Creative Croydon exhibition?

“I’ve always had a underlying feeling of isolation and detachment from my surroundings; when my work started appearing around town I suddenly felt that a sense of belonging had been released – and, being alongside such wonderful artists and friends, this exhibition will continue in that spirit. I also really love lamp posts.”

Where do you go in Croydon for creative inspiration?

“Always look up – you never know what magic you might find.”

What are you particularly looking forward to about Croydon becoming the London Borough of Culture next year?

“Croydon is a town that has continued to evolve and regenerate inordinately further than its national typecasting would allow; anything that shines a light on the creative and cultural mass thriving within its borders is a force for good.”

Follow Gavin (aka The Town That Love Built) on Instagram.

Tina Crawford

Tina Crawford is a born and bred Croydonite who draws with the sewing machine. Her Tobyboo products can be seen in St Paul’s Cathedral, The Globe, Soane Museum, Museum of London and English Heritage to name a few. Tina Crawford’s artwork is in collections including Soho House and the Science Museum, more locally you can see her work in the Oval Tavern!

What does it mean to you to be part of the Creative Croydon exhibition?

“My art studio is out of the area so it’s great to have something on home ground.”

Where do you go in Croydon for creative inspiration?

“I’m Croydon born and bred so I don’t have to look too hard, the diversity of people – a mix like no other London borough – helps with my work, socioeconomics and inequality is a continuing theme that runs in the background of new ideas.”

What are you particularly looking forward to about Croydon becoming the London Borough of Culture next year?

“I think it’ll be exciting to see what it will do to the music scene in Croydon which is so vibrant and underrated and it’s such an integral part of the borough!”

Follow Tina on Instagram.

Lis Watkins

Lis is an illustration professional, creating hand-drawn images and maps to help businesses in the travel and event sectors connect with their customers. She also gives drawing workshops, is a Visiting Lecturer at London Metropolitan University and co-founder of ‘Sketchwalk London,’ a project aiming to bring work colleagues together, outside of the office, to explore the capital in a pocket sketchbook. Lis is based at ASC Art House in Croydon.

What does it mean to you to be part of the Creative Croydon exhibition?

“It’s a great honour to have some of my images on display with this group of artists as I know they have all championed Croydon through their artwork over the past decade.”

Where do you go in Croydon for creative inspiration?

“I love drawing in my sketchbook so I am quite happy just sitting in a café somewhere in the town, watching the world go by and recording what I see.”

What are you particularly looking forward to about Croydon becoming the London Borough of Culture next year?

“Hopefully it will give all creatives in the town, especially the younger ones, a chance to showcase their talents, whether it be in the visual arts, music, fashion, poetry, dance or theatre.”

Follow Lis on Instagram.

Bev Jones

Bev grew up in a tiny dot of a village in North Wales, her house was at the end of the road at the top of the mountain where the bus turned round and went back unable to follow the track any further. It was a beautiful place, a hard place and a place for leaving. All the same, it went with Bev when she left. Bev loves painting and most of what she paints is Croydon, loving the people and the crowds more than the buildings, but the buildings are part of the story too. Lately Bev paints a lot of cranes, as there’s a lot of change to cope with just now.

What does it mean to you to be part of the Creative Croydon exhibition?

“It’s always great to share my work with people locally. A lot of seeing is in how you look and where you look from both physically and psychologically. And there’s something in recognising a view as someone else has seen it that speaks to our shared humanity. The possibility of seeing and of being seen.”

Where do you go in Croydon for creative inspiration?

“There’s something in the crowd for me, in the energy people create in a space together so whenever I need inspiration I go out for a walk at rush hour or down to Surrey Street Market and do some people watching. And if there’s some rain and weather about then so much the better.”

What are you particularly looking forward to about Croydon becoming the London Borough of Culture next year?

“We all need both bread and roses so I think the London Borough of Culture is a great opportunity for providing roses at a time when so many people are struggling for their bread.”

Follow Bev on Instagram.

Interview courtesy of www.croydonist.co.uk