At Tessa Hunkin’s Hackney Mosaic Project book launch

By Christine Swan

For thirteen years, The Hackney Mosaic Project has engaged its volunteer artists in numerous projects, some of which are on a considerable scale. Tessa Hunkin’s community of mosaicists do not need prior experience to join, and are drawn from a diverse group of people, many of whom find great support and creative outlet in this wonderful project.

Therapeutic herbs in mosaic form

The studio is based in Hackney Downs Park and it is here that I travelled to, with my friend Jane last Saturday afternoon. The small Hackney Downs pavilion was thrumming with people. The building was organised into a hospitality area, a gallery and shop.

Hackney Downs Pavilion

In the gallery, visitors could watch mosaics being made, a delicate rainbow of tiny pieces of glass being carefully placed forming a sketched out, unique piece of art.

Smiles and light-hearted chatter in the mosaic workshop

Any pursuit that brings people together, to talk, to create, to learn, is of great benefit. After my first tour of the gallery and shop, I chose two wonderful cat mosaics and, after paying for these, took a drink and lovely piece of coffee and walnut cake, and sat on a bench outside in the sunshine. The weather was blissful, and we sat and talked for some time.

Lovely cake and drinks provided by Community Drinks

We took a second tour of the gallery and shop and I spoke briefly to Tessa as she signed my copy of her book. Thanks must also go the Gentle Author who uses his blog to highlight local projects to such good effect, and also his publishing house to tell the stories that are not told anywhere else. In a celebrity-dominated society, it is refreshing that we hear the stories of extraordinary, “ordinary” people. These are the tales of the real East End, when the news dwells on the negative, these are the small voices that make a huge positive impact.