Portuguese speaking communities Mural / Mural das Comunidades Lusófonas

Welcome to the page dedicated to the mural celebrating the vibrant Portuguese-speaking community in Little Portugal, Vauxhall. This artwork is more than just a mural; it’s a testament to the cultural richness and enduring spirit of Lambeth’s Portuguese-speaking residents. Explore the story behind the mural, the artists who brought it to life, and the community it represents 

About the Mural

This stunning mural was created to honour the Portuguese-speaking community’s significant contributions to Lambeth’s culture, economy, and social fabric. Inspired by traditional arts from across the Portuguese-speaking world, and the vibrant colours of nature, the design embodies themes of unity, heritage, and hope. 

Unveiled in November 2023, the mural was a collaborative effort between The Brixton Project,local artists (names), the Portuguese-speaking community, and Lambeth Council. It stands as a proud symbol of the multicultural identity of Little Portugal, reminding all who see it of the area’s rich history and dynamic present. 

Bem-vindo à página dedicada ao mural que celebra a vibrante comunidade lusófona em Little Portugal (Pequeno Portugal), Vauxhall. Esta obra de arte é mais do que apenas um mural; é um testemunho da riqueza cultural e do espírito duradouro dos residentes de língua portuguesa de Lambeth. Explore a história por detrás do mural, os artistas que deram-lhe vida e a comunidade que representa.

Sobre o Mural

Este impressionante mural foi criado para homenagear as contribuições significativas da comunidade lusófona para a cultura, economia e tecido social de Lambeth. Inspirado nas artes tradicionais de todo o mundo lusófono e nas cores vibrantes da natureza, o design incorpora temas de unidade, património e esperança.

Revelado em novembro de 2023, o mural foi um esforço colaborativo entre The Brixton Project, os artistas locais Alex Bowie e Eduarda Craveiro, a comunidade lusófona e a Câmara Municipal de Lambeth. Ergue-se como um símbolo orgulhoso da identidade multicultural do Pequeno Portugal, recordando a todos os que o veem a rica história e o presente dinâmico da região.

Alex Bowie

Alex Bowie is a Scottish visual and social artist based in London. Her multidisciplinary practice is deep rooted in community engagement and collaboration. Obsessed with colour, she has an ongoing curiosity about the world, its shapes, textures, patterns and most importantly, its people. While painting remains her primary medium, she enjoys exploring different creative processes including printmaking and textiles. Her connection with Stockwell started in Stockwell Primary School where she ran a therapeutic arts intervention for 4 years. While there, she was welcomed and embraced by the Portuguese speaking community. She feels privileged to have co-designed the Little Portugal Mural for this unique community.

Eduarda Craveiro

Eduarda Craveiro is a London-based multidisciplinary artist who blends diverse mediums and techniques to create familiar yet melancholic environments. Working primarily in textiles, her background in visual storytelling shapes her work across various forms. Inspired by her Portuguese-British heritage and a passion for found materials, she uncovers magic in the everyday, using nostalgia and comedy to invite reflection on life’s fleeting nature. Creating a piece for Stockwell’s Portuguese-speaking British community has been a longtime dream, and she feels honored to represent and celebrate its vibrant culture.

Alex and Eduarda met while delivering creative projects in the education department at Dulwich Picture Gallery. They connected over a mutual love of creativity, silliness and playful art making. The Little Portugal Mural marks their first major creative project together. They felt welcomed and honoured to have met so many wonderful people who offer so much to the community during the course of the project’.

The Process

The artists spoke to over 100 community members across Little Portugal, originating from at least 9 different countries, to hear what was important for them to represent their culture. They visited local Portuguese-speaking businesses in the area and held workshops for people to experiment with design ideas. They then worked with people’s ideas to come up with a final mural design. Through their work, Alex and Eduarda have captured the essence of the Portuguese community and the spirit of Little Portugal. 

This mural was delivered by Brixton Project and supported by Lambeth Council and the Mayor of London through the Vauxhall Night Time Enterprise Zone and UK Shared Prosperity Fund. 

Os artistas falaram com mais de 100 membros da comunidade em Little Portugal, originários de pelo menos 9 países diferentes, para ouvir o que era importante para eles representarem a sua cultura. Visitaram empresas locais de língua portuguesa na zona e organizaram workshops para as pessoas experimentarem ideias de design. Os artistas então trabalharam com as ideias das pessoas para chegar a um design do mural final. Através do seu trabalho, estes artistas captaram a essência da comunidade lusófona e o espírito do Little Portugal.

Este mural foi executado pelo Brixton Project e apoiado pela Câmara Municipal de Lambeth e pelo Presidente da Câmara de Londres através da Vauxhall Night Time Enterprise Zone e do UK Shared Prosperity Fund.