Vandals threw paint over group mural of silhouettes in Cricklewood specially commissioned by a residents association.
The work, which can be seen on a wall in the passage running from the Broadway to Sylvan Grove is by Kevin Vincenzo Keating, who was commissioned by NorthWestTWO Residents’ Association (NWTRA) to produce a mural as part of its 10th birthday celebrations.
The artist, who lives on Heber Road, said: “When I was first asked to do the mural I decided I wanted people in it. It was an area falling into disrepair and I wanted the residents to reclaim the territory, in a sense.
“On the day itself, I drew an outline of their shape, and they filled it in. People were really engrossed with putting their presence on the wall. It was a real honour for me to be asked.
“Since it was finished it’s been vandalised twice. The person who did it obviously had an issue with it. I managed to clean it off but the next day they came back and threw paint on the same spot.
“The residents are upset about it.”
Mr Keating said the project took a long time to prepare and a whole day to complete. Families arrived, residents came to take a look and people walking on the Broadway joined in.
He added: “Every day people can be part of any kind of art event. This is something that happens on the street. I’m very much into working on the street as much as in a gallery. On the street it’s more personal and it has greater impact.
“Working with the residents’ association is a very high honour.”
It is not the first time Mr Keating has been commissioned by NWTRA. In August he created the Irish mythical goddess Aine next to Cricklewood Station. At the time he told the Brent & Kilburn Times: “Cricklewood has a huge Irish heritage so I wanted to make something of that.
“By using a mythical subject the art can touch people and resonate with everybody in its own personal way.”
A spokesman for NWTRA said they commissioned the mural as part of their 10th birthday anniversary.
He said: “It was a glorious freestyle collaborative event with a great atmosphere which didn’t finish until 10.30pm that night and has left a unique group selfie of Cricklewood.”
He added: “NorthWestTWO Residents’ Association have been working tirelessly to improve life in Cricklewood in many different ways.
“There’s been some vandalism, which is sad. We’ve reported it to the local police and we’ll deal with it.”
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