HACKNEY WALLS

We’re working with Hackney Council on a series of murals around the Hackney Central & Railway Tunnels of Exmouth Place, Helmsley Place, Reading Lane, Warburton Road.

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ARE YOU AN ARTIST, REGISTER YOUR INTEREST BELOW.

We are seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) which will include a link to your portfolio, and a brief note on how you connect to Hackney and your experience. This is so we can share the opportunities with you in the future. The projects will be delivered with Hackney Council, Wood Street Walls, Communities and Creatives. We are interested in hearing from you!

This opportunity will include elements of community engagement and working with communities through co-design or collaboration. You must be comfortable with this being part of your practice.

If you are an artist who has not previously created outdoor public realm work, this does not exclude you, and we would still like to see your work.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Yes, all selected artists will be paid a set artist fee, which will be dependent on the location, the size of the wall or space and your involvement, whether design or design and painting. You will not be expected to work for free at any stage of the project.

    There will also be opportunities for emerging artists to support painting the wall to gain experience, paid, who will be paid London-living wage.


  • Yes, all materials, paints, equipment, and access costs, such as scaffolding, permits, or cherry pickers where required, will be provided. You do not need to fund any materials yourself.

  • We are currently gathering Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to build a pool of talented artists connected to Hackney. Once spaces and briefs are confirmed, we will share project details directly with artists who have registered their interest. This is a two-stage process: register interest, and once locations and walls are agreed, we will contact the creatives who have expressed interest. Any opportunities will be shared with the database of artists.

  • Hackney Council is the commissioning body funding this programme as part of wider renovation and wayfinding works around Hackney Central. Wood Street Walls and Works in Public are delivering the programme on behalf of the Council. Hackney Council is supporting promotion and community engagement.


  • We have a shortlist of potential locations around Hackney Central. We will share the full details of the confirmed locations in the briefs when they are issued.


  • Yes, we will share photographs, dimensions and location details for each space when agreed. Where possible, we will also arrange site visits so you can see the wall in person before developing your design.

  • You might live in Hackney, have a studio here, have grown up here, have family in the borough, or have a meaningful creative or personal connection to the area. What matters is that your connection is genuine and the work you create benefits the Hackney community.


  • All creatives who have a connection to Hackney are welcome to register their interest, regardless of background. We are particularly keen to hear from female artists, artists from the Global Majority, artists from low-income backgrounds and emerging or aspiring artists who may not have had access to public art commissions before.

  • No, if you are an artist who has not previously created outdoor public artwork, this does not exclude you. We would still like to see your portfolio and hear about your practice. We value fresh perspectives and are open to supporting artists as they transition to large-scale public work. The production team, Wood Street Walls and Works in Public, can help deliver your design if you need help or do not paint exterior murals.

  • Yes, this opportunity will include elements of community engagement and collaboration with communities through co-design. You must be comfortable with this being part of your practice. This might include workshops, consultations with residents or collaborative design sessions.

  • 14th May 2026. We encourage you to submit as early as possible. Late submissions may not be considered for the first round of briefs, but you will remain on our register for future opportunities.

  • Yes.. If you are applying as a pair or collective, please submit one EOI and include portfolio links for all collaborators. Ensure each person’s connection to Hackney is explained.


  • All styles are welcome: illustrative, abstract, typographic, figurative, or mixed media. We are open to a wide range of practices, skills, and approaches, and can explore how you can be best supported throughout the process.

  • The spaces vary in size and include railway tunnel walls around Hackney Central as well as other prominent locations in the borough. We will share exact dimensions, surface types and access details when briefs are issued to artists who have registered their interest.

  • The programme timeline runs until December 2026. Exact painting dates will depend on which spaces are confirmed, as well as weather and access conditions. We will give selected artists a reasonable lead time to plan and prepare with our production partner, Wood Street Walls, which will support you throughout the process.

  • Please provide: (1) a link to your portfolio, website or Instagram so we can see examples of your work; (2) a brief note on your connection to Hackney; and (3) a summary of your experience. You do not need to submit a design or proposal at this stage; this is simply about registering your interest and sharing your practice with us.


  • The project includes a video/image consent and release form that grants Wood Street Walls, Hackney Council, and Communities and Creatives the right to photograph, film, and reproduce images of the completed mural for promotional, editorial, and archival purposes. Specific IP and copyright terms will remain with the artist, with a royalty-free license agreed to promote the project on a non-commercial basis.

  • Yes, all artists will be fully credited on the mural itself (where appropriate), on our digital channels, and in any press or promotional materials related to the programme.

  • You must be 18 or over to apply independently. If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must provide consent. We welcome applications from artists of all ages.


  • Selection will be based on the quality and relevance of your portfolio, your connection to Hackney, and how your practice aligns with the specific brief for each space. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and will prioritise diversity of voices, styles and backgrounds.

  • Email us at hello@worksinpublic.co.uk or DM @worksinpublic on Instagram. We’re happy to help.