A major community participation art project conceived as a ‘united message of hope’ for Newham, a rethinking of how our public spaces are used and meditation on the adaptive role of architects in a post-pandemic age, has been completed.

The Raw Rainbow installation has transformed a footbridge at Royal Albert Wharf into a giant rainbow as a symbolic landmark of hope in this uncertain period, said its backers.

Led by local resident and architect Andrew Morris from Studio Curiosity with support from Bow Arts Trust and Notting Hill Genesis, the scheme has brought residents together – whilst obeying social distancing advice. Residents were asked to collect ‘takeaway packs’ and help cut almost 5,000 m of ribbon in three days over the May Day Bank holiday. Then single household groups helped install the ribbon across two weekends.