‘Covid’ Street Art Pieces by Ben Eine and Dotmasters, East London 2021
A four-year journey by Ilford residents Tom and Rieko Vining, in collaboration with Redbridge Council, has brought new life to the streets of Ilford. Their idea was simple but powerful: to show their community in a new light, highlighting its culture, beauty, and potential through art.
Dotmaster, End of the Line, Ilford, 2021. Spray paint on shutter. Commissioned in partnership with Redbridge Council as part of the Ilford street art initiative led by Tom and Rieko Vining. Photo Credit Louis Thornton
What began as the social media project @ilfordvillage grew into a platform that encouraged residents to look at Ilford differently, to take pride in their town, and to imagine new possibilities for regeneration. From there, conversations with Redbridge Council and cultural producer Jay Gutstein opened the door to something bigger: inviting world-renowned street artists to transform Ilford with bold, public works.
Dotmaster, End of the Line, Ilford, 2021. Spray paint on shutter. Commissioned in partnership with Redbridge Council as part of the Ilford street art initiative led by Tom and Rieko Vining. Photo Credit Louis Thornton
The Right Moment
Timing was crucial. After years of discussion, Ilford’s new Cultural Quarter, SPACE, and Mercato Ilford set the stage. The arrival of artists Dotmaster and Ben Eine marked the first step in turning this vision into reality, making Ilford a destination for contemporary street art.
Ben Eine, Survival, Ilford, 2021. Spray paint on shutter. Commissioned in partnership with Redbridge Council as part of the Ilford street art initiative led by Tom and Rieko Vining. Photo Credit Louis Thornton
Dotmaster: End of the Line
On Kenneth More Road, London-born artist Dotmaster (Leon Seesix) created End of the Line. The piece takes a visual symbol of the pandemic, the sharp red line of data graphs, and reimagines it as a playground for two children, Max and Louie.
“The visuals of the pandemic have been the red lines of graphs and charts. In this piece, they become a play piece for two naughty kids.” Dotmaster
Known for his mix of humour and critique, Dotmaster has been active since the early 1990s and has shown his work internationally, from Banksy’s Waterloo Cans Festival to the Oscar-nominated film Exit Through the Gift Shop.
Dotmaster, End of the Line, Ilford, 2021. Spray paint on shutter. Commissioned in partnership with Redbridge Council as part of the Ilford street art initiative led by Tom and Rieko Vining. Photo Credit Louis Thornton
The first project that made its way to Ilford was a joint venture with artists Dotmaster and Ben Eine, both are highly established and were delighted to share their creativity with the residents and visitors of Ilford.
Two amazing works can be found if you make your way to Kenneth More Road. The first is called ‘End of the line’ by Dotmaster.
Dotmaster, End of the Line, Ilford, 2021. Spray paint on shutter. Commissioned in partnership with Redbridge Council as part of the Ilford street art initiative led by Tom and Rieko Vining. Photo Credit Louis Thornton
Ben Eine: Survival
Nearby, Ben Eine contributed Survival in a bold typographic mural that speaks directly to endurance in the face of crisis.
“This is a statement about society’s will to overcome difficult circumstances.” Ben Eine
Eine is one of the most recognizable figures in street art. Over the past 30 years, he has redefined graffiti typography, leaving his mark across London and beyond. With Survival, his distinctive style arrives in Ilford, placing the borough into a global story of urban art.
Ben Eine, Survival, Ilford, 2021. Spray paint on shutter. Commissioned in partnership with Redbridge Council as part of the Ilford street art initiative led by Tom and Rieko Vining.
Ben Eine is one of the most instantly recognisable street artists in the world and is regarded as a pioneer in the exploration of graffiti letterforms and typography. Born in London Ben started his career over 30 years ago and has continued developing his distinct typography style.
Ben Eine, Survival and Dotmaster, End of the Line, Ilford, 2021. Spray paint on shutter. Commissioned in partnership with Redbridge Council as part of the Ilford street art initiative led by Tom and Rieko Vining. Photo Credit Louis Thornton
Looking Ahead
For Tom and Rieko Vining, these works are just the beginning:
“We are excited about the continued possibilities Ilford presents.” Tom and Rieko Vining
The project marks a new chapter for Ilford, proving that art can reshape not just walls but perceptions—turning everyday streets into spaces of creativity, resilience, and pride.
Photo Credit Louis Thornton.