When London-based artist Corin Ashleigh Brown decided to tackle the problem of litter in her local park, she hoped the art of mosaic sign could inspire a change in attitudes towards littering and bring the community together to care for this well-used and enjoyed public space. With a mini-grant from the local community group WeLoveSE25 and the help of Sign Trade Supplies, Corin fabricated her mosaic, and Croydon Council’s parks team installed it where it now stands in South Norwood Recreation Grounds.
Frustrated by the sight of rubbish strewn across South Norwood Recreation Ground each summer, Corin joined Norwood Junkaction, a local volunteer group dedicated to keeping the park clean. “People like to blame the foxes or squirrels,” she joked, “but I’ve never seen a fox walking down Sainsbury’s aisles buying lagers and bags of crisps.”
Determined to spark change through creativity, Corin applied for a small grant from WeLoveSE25, which covered all materials and some installation costs, with Corin donating around 10 days of her time to create the mosaic free of charge. The design was developed with input from local residents and unveiled at the South Norwood Country Festival earlier this year.
To help bring the piece to life, Sign Trade Supplies donated materials and technical advice. The company’s customer service team worked with Corin to find the best mounting solution, recommending and supplying black aluminium sign channels to ensure the mosaic could be safely and securely installed.
“The support from Sign Trade Supplies made all the difference,” said Corin. “It meant I could focus on the creative side, knowing the installation would be strong, professional and long-lasting.”
For Sign Trade Supplies, the collaboration was a reminder that functional signage doesn’t have to be ordinary. “We love seeing projects like this, where good design and thoughtful materials completely change how a space feels,” said Garrick Dartnell, Head of Marketing at Sign Trade Supplies. “It’s a great example of how signage can do more than inform; it can connect people and bring character to a community.”
Corin’s mosaic, now installed at the park entrance, is a vibrant reminder that art and environmental awareness can go hand in hand. As she puts it, “If you can carry it here, you can carry it home.” She hopes that the power of public artwork can spearhead positive change for this local Croydon park and looks forward to bringing more mosaic artwork to her local areas.
To see more of Corin’s work, visit londonmosaicstudios.com or follow her on Instagram @corinashleighb