About the Artwork

Newham Trackside Wall by Sonia Boyce is a large-scale artwork, made up of colour printed panels, that runs along the Crossrail Elizabeth line, through the London Borough of Newham. At 1.9km long, it is one of the longest commissioned works in the UK. Newham Trackside Wall is commissioned by Crossrail, curated by UP Projects and engineered by Atkins.

LOCATION

Newham Trackside Wall is visible in the Custom House, Silvertown and North Woolwich neighbourhoods.
It runs along Victoria Dock Road in Custom House, and Connaught Road and Albert Road in Silvertown and North Woolwich.

COMPONENTS

The artwork is made up of 5 different elements, to reflect the neighbourhood and the outcomes of the community engagement.

1. Photographic background Documentary photography of the buildings, homes and street scenes directly opposite the trackside wall, showing the area as it looked in 2018, on the brink of regeneration and change.

Photographer: Thierry Bal — **1. Photographic background**
Documentary photography of the buildings, homes and street scenes directly opposite the trackside wall, showing the area as it looked in 2018, on the brink of regeneration and change. Photographer: Thierry Bal

2. Testimonies (colour background) Memories and personal testimonies from residents of a wide range of ages, ethnicities, backgrounds and roles within the community. These are collected and presented along the wall to give a flavour of the people a — **2. Testimonies (colour background)**
Memories and personal testimonies from residents of a wide range of ages, ethnicities, backgrounds and roles within the community. These are collected and presented along the wall to give a flavour of the people and events that have shaped and continue to shape the borough. Photographer: Thierry Bal

3. Facts (white background) Historical and current facts about Newham.

Photographer: Thierry Bal — **3. Facts (white background)**
Historical and current facts about Newham. Photographer: Thierry Bal

4. Special Collections Including contributions by local children and young people and photographs of cap badges from the local Royal British Legion.

Photographer: Benedict Johnson — **4. Special Collections**
Including contributions by local children and young people and photographs of cap badges from the local Royal British Legion. Photographer: Benedict Johnson

5. Floral Pattern To add softness and colour, Boyce created a wallpaper-like repeat pattern, featuring plants and wildlife from the surrounding area, inspired by the designs of William Morris (1834–1896).

Photographer: Benedict Johnson — **5. Floral Pattern**
To add softness and colour, Boyce created a wallpaper-like repeat pattern, featuring plants and wildlife from the surrounding area, inspired by the designs of William Morris (1834–1896). Photographer: Benedict Johnson

PRODUCTION

Sonia Boyce worked with a number of professionals to create the artwork, from Curators UP Projects who supported the community engagement and artwork development, to engineers and technical experts Atkins who managed the production.

Artwork prototypes. Image courtesy UP Projects

Prototype Visit, February 2019. Photographer: Julian Robinson

Engineers Atkins advising on production. Image courtesy UP Projects

Text boxes on the artwork were designed by IYA, and incorporated into the panel designs by artworker Jess McFarlane. Photographer: Benedict Johnson

Panels were printed in Nottingham by Pearce Signs. Photographer: Benedict Johnson

Panels were installed in Newham by Delatim. Photographer: Benedict Johnson

ACCESS

To visit the Custom House section of the artwork you are advised to travel by the Elizabeth line or DLR to Custom House Station. There is step free access to Victoria Dock Road from Custom House Station. There is a public footpath beside and opposite the wall.

To visit the Silvertown and North Woolwich section you are advised to travel by DLR to London City Airport DLR Station and exit the station by the Drew Road exit. Both Drew Road and Saville Road lead down to Albert Road. There is a public footpath beside and opposite the wall.

Buses serving Victoria Dock Road are 147, 325, 678, N551
Buses serving Connaught/Albert Roads are 473, 474