Celebrating diversity in Tower Hamlets

Local Colours is a set of 12 flags designed and made by a year 6 class at Harbinger Primary School. To help the school explore their local history as part of Black History Month, Canal & River Trust funded Wood Street Walls and a group of East London-based artists to work with them.

To delve into the local history and identity of the Docklands area we used flags as a medium. They were also a way to explore communication, design and making in a hands-on way.

Many flags aim to compress many stories into one - here we looked to tell 12 different stories or points of view about Docklands, reflecting its richness and diversity.

The flags were exhibited at the Museum of Docklands on West India Quay.

“It has been a privilege to work with Canal & River Trust on such an exciting project. The children and staff thoroughly enjoyed the chance to work with the artists learning about the Black History of the Docklands and having an opportunity to discuss and share ideas on the identity of their Docklands. The project was inclusive and accessible to all and we shall display our flags with pride.”

- Nimesha Nagahawatte, Head Teacher, Harbinger Primary School