Rosie Lom Captures The Attention of Thierry Henry With Her Mural
Located right in the heart of the Shoreditch Triangle, London’s Shoreditch studios is used by many high-profile celebrities for photo shoots and now as these stars visit the studios, they can enjoy an extra splash of colour thanks to a new mural unveiled on site painted by young local artist and illustrator Rosie Lom.
Rosie who is only 23 once worked at the studios as a photographic assistant. It was there she drew her inspiration to create the 66-foot-long, multicoloured mural with its abstract design, reflecting studio props like blue scaffolding, yellow electrical tape and red lightbulbs.
Speaking on the mural piece, Rosie said “The brief was to create something colourful and bold to brighten up the studios’ entrance courtyard where clients arrive. I hope visitors will enjoy this extra splash of colour. Every day we overlook so many amazing patterns and colours around us, whether they are striped shadows on the pavement or the geometric facade of a building.Noticing these can bring us so much joy in our busy day-to-day lives. I believe in the power of pattern and hope to open people’s eyes to it through my work.“
The new mural which took Rosie 10 days to complete with the assistance of two helpers, Bethan Smith and Annabel Maguire, is the latest addition to Shoreditch’s world-renowned street art that draws visitors to the area from around the world. Shoreditch Studios have welcomed the likes of Hollywood screen legend Samuel L. Jackson, English rapper and fashion week ambassador, Tinie Tempah, sprinter Usain Bolt, actor Simon Pegg and singer Rihanna,
With such a high calibre of visitors to the studios, this didn’t put Rosie off her brushstrokes as showbusiness is in her blood, being the granddaughter of movie actor Herbert Lom, who starred opposite comedy legend Peter Sellers, Inspector Clouseau in the popular Pink Panther films. Like Rosie, Herbert was also a keen painter.
A former Kingston and Norwich University of the Arts graduate, Rosie admitted that one nimble-footed star did succeed in surprising her when he sneaked up on her at work.
“I was busy painting one morning when someone cast a shadow over the wall,” she said. “The guy inspecting my mural, during a break from his photoshoot, turned out to be Thierry Henry.”
Katie Palmer, Shoreditch Studios’ manager, said: “Rosie presented us some ideas and we loved them straightaway. The plain white wall in our entrance reception is now full of fantastic colours. She’s brightened up the place. Rosie’s managed to abstractly transfer things that are in the studio onto the wall. We’re hoping it’ll put people in a great mood when they enter the studio.”
This mural piece seems like just the beginning of a string of high-profile commissions for Rosie. Following this, Rosie has now secured her next commission, designing a new front display for the Shoreditch bicycle shop café, Rotate.
Rosie was also approached by Hackney Arts, which connects artists, businesses and communities in the capital giving her, her first design commission at an outdoor sports event. Organisers of the Hackney 5k, a race supported by sponsors and promoters including Nike, Track Mafia and Virgin Sport, had approached Hackney Arts to add some colourful backdrops to the event held on Hackney Marshes in May.
Sophie Thompson, Founder and CEO of Hackney Arts in east London, asked Rosie, and fellow artist Lucie Hands, to come up with some designs to brighten up the day for the 3,000 runners taking part.
“It was an honour to be asked by Sophie to design part of the 5k race route,” said Rosie. “In planning our designs, we took our inspiration from Hackney’s nature, culture and history, aiming to add some colour at the runners’ feet. We worked for a few days in advance on designs, then, with a team of three helpers, we decorated the grass and the race’s gravel pathway route with chalk spray, both on the day before and on race day itself. When we finished our work, we kept our fingers crossed that the weather didn’t turn against us and wash all our designs away before the race even got underway!”
After the race, it was certain some of the runners had noticed Rosie’s work as they praised the team of artists for their work, saying the colourful designs had given them extra entertainment and inspiration to keep going.
We are certain the future is not only bright for Rosie but patterned and colourful.
Images courtesy of Rosie Lom
