Across Putney, ordinary utility cabinets are being given a colourful new lease of life as part of a public art project celebrating the theme ‘Proud to be Putney’.
What were once functional and often rather uninspiring pieces of street furniture are being transformed into 10 individual works of art, bringing creativity, colour and a little bit of Putney’s personality to the streets.
The project began with two boxes painted by local artists, and has grown into a community project involving artists and local residents.
This was the first cabinet painted about two years ago on Upper Richmond Road by the Burial Ground. It was designed by Belinda who works at Putney School of Art and Design. It was painted by a professional artist. Such a simple idea but so effective, and received lots of positive comments.
This was the second box and designed by professional sign artist Joe, who grew up in Putney. We wanted this box to show Putney’s unique riverside beauty. This also received lots of praise so we decided we should look into doing more electrical boxes.
Art inspired by Putney
This Spring we invited artists to get involved, we wanted the designs to reflect the things that make Putney unique and why we are Proud to be Putney. The brief included ideas around Putney’s parks and Common, local wildlife, its history, and its long-standing connection with rowing and the River Thames. The project is particularly special is because each artist has interpreted Putney in their own way. The resulting artwork not only makes the streetscape look better, each design tells a story.
Bringing colour and positivity to the streets
Local artist Ollie Quinn painted two sets of utility cabinets as part of the project, using bold colour, graphic shapes and positive messages to bring the ‘Proud to be Putney’ theme to life.
Ollie says: “The two sets of boxes I designed and painted are inspired by the personalities and things people love about Putney. The aim was to add bright colour palettes to the street, weaving a positive message with references to nature and river themes. These kind of jobs on high streets are very rewarding as an artist as there’s always locals sharing their feedback on the spot!
His designs certainly make an impact. On Putney High Street opposite Putney train station his design features the words ‘Proud to be Putney’ across three boxes, while the other on Upper Richmond Road states the word ‘Forever Putney’ alongside flowing shapes and natural, river-inspired elements.
A family story told through Putney’s wildlife
Art by Roo had a personal connection to the project. Her Mum grew up in Putney with her family mum and the memories of her childhood became the inspiration for two of the designs. She asked her mum what wildlife she remembered seeing when she was growing up in Putney. Her mum recalled the small birds that used to visit the family garden, including a particularly memorable encounter with a thrush. She remembered watching a thrush holding a snail and tapping it against a wall to break its shell before having it for lunch. That childhood memory became the inspiration for one of the boxes on Putney High Street close to Crisis shop, featuring a thrush spying on a snail, surrounded by forget-me-nots. These flowers have an added personal significance. They were the artist’s nan’s favourite flower and can also be found growing on Putney Common. The second design on Disraeli Road features three long-tailed tits sitting closely together on a branch.
Long-tailed tits live in close-knit family groups and are known to help raise the offspring of their relatives. This struck a particular chord with the artist, whose mum worked at Great Ormond Street and whose nan had a career as a nanny. The three birds represent her mum, her uncle and her nan. So, what might at first look like a simple picture of three little birds is actually a tribute to three generations of a family and their connection to Putney. Both long-tailed tits and thrushes have also been sighted recently on Putney Common, making the designs an especially fitting celebration of the wildlife that continues to live alongside us.
Young artists, local ideas
The community element of the project has also given three young Putney residents the chance to see their artwork become part of the neighbourhood. Following a call-out to the local community, 14-year-olds Darcey and Cara submitted their artwork inspired by the theme ‘Proud to be Putney’. Both were chosen for their creativity and their individual interpretations of what makes Putney special.
For Darcey, the answer was clear: “Rowing is at the heart of Putney and no other place does it better. I feel so privileged to live here and that’s why I chose to draw it.”
Cara found her inspiration in another much-loved part of Putney, its parks and the simple pleasure of spending time there with family. “I really like Putney, especially this summer with all of the hot weather. My inspiration was going to the park with my family and having a picnic. The bats in the picture were inspired by the bats all around the park and the bat walk we went on.”
Two very different interpretations, but both capture something genuine about living in Putney.
We also had a beautiful submission from a resident in memory of their cat. Pictured on Putney Bridge with our beautiful lamp columns.
The three winning entrants designs were all painted by the professional artist team who often work in Putney and did all of our Round the World window paintings.
Our final cabinet has been designed and painted by local business Art K who offer art lessons from their studio on Felsham Road. Their artist Eliza Burton talks about her inspiration for the artwork. “This design is a personal celebration of Putney, a place I have called home for most of my life and have worked in and around since I was 15. I wanted to capture not only its most recognisable landmarks, but also the everyday details that make it feel so special to the local community. The design brings together the River Thames, St Mary’s Church and Putney Common, alongside smaller touches of Putney life, including the 14 bus, local stations and rowers on the river. Together, these elements celebrate Putney’s history, green spaces, transport and strong connection to the Thames. Art has been a huge part of my life, and I have been teaching children and adults since 2020. I’m now excited to share that passion through Art-K Putney, combining my love of art with my connection to the local community”.
From boring boxes to public art
There are ten utility cabinets painted each with its own design and story. The aim was to take something that is normally overlooked and turn it into something that catches your eye, something that reflects the place around it and makes our streets a little more colourful. From rowing on the Thames to wildlife on Putney Common, from local history to family memories, the designs celebrate the many different reasons people can be Proud to be Putney.