Southall's streets become an outdoor gallery

People walking through Southall may start noticing something different about some of the town's most familiar locations.

Bridges, pavements and public spaces are being transformed through Southall Stories, a public art programme created to tell the story of the area through the people who live and work there.

Rather than concentrating the artwork inside a traditional gallery, installations have been spread across Southall, allowing people to encounter them as part of everyday life.

Locations include Southall Station, Merrick Road foot and cycle bridge, Hayes Gateway Bridge on Southall Broadway, Norwood Road Grand Union Canal Bridge and the Dominion Centre & Library.

That gives Southall something increasingly popular in cities around the world: an outdoor cultural trail that can be explored on foot.

Art inspired by Southall itself

What makes the project particularly interesting is that the artists weren't simply asked to make attractive objects.

Their work draws directly on Southall's history, communities and cultural identity.

Seven artists were originally selected, with local organisations including Southall Community Alliance, Southall Black Sisters, Southall Young Adult Centre, Open Southall and Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery represented in the selection process.

The artists have also worked with schools, residents, community groups and local creatives while developing their ideas.

The result is a collection where individual pieces tell very different parts of Southall's story.

13 moments from Southall's history

One of the most ambitious installations transforms the Norwood Road Grand Union Canal Bridge into an outdoor gallery.

Artist Pablo Thomas of BUHO Studios has created 13 painted artworks, each representing an important moment from Southall's history, culture and identity.

There is also a digital element: visitors can use QR codes to access animated versions of the artwork.

It's an imaginative way of combining public art with local history — particularly because people don't need to enter a museum or exhibition to discover it.

They can encounter Southall's story simply by walking through the neighbourhood.

Local faces celebrated at Merrick Road

The Merrick Road foot and cycle bridge takes a more personal approach.

Artist Gurdish Haugsdal has developed a mural featuring portraits and stories of local residents, with themes including migration and aspirations for the future.

Raj Dhunna, meanwhile, has created illustrated portraits of notable residents, community figures and young people at the entrances to the bridge.

Together, those works put local people at the centre of the artwork rather than simply using Southall as a backdrop.

From Punjabi furniture to Southall's musical heritage

Another installation draws inspiration from something deeply rooted in South Asian culture.

Artist Shirin Naveed has created functional street furniture inspired by the traditional Punjabi manji, developed with residents to reflect Southall's musical heritage.

The seating is being installed outside 118–122 The Broadway.

That combination of art and something people can actually use is a particularly appealing aspect of the project.

Instead of simply standing back and looking at an artwork, residents can sit on it and make it part of everyday Southall life.

Dominion Centre becomes another focal point

The Dominion Centre & Library also plays an important role.

Haffendi Anuar's work there takes inspiration from shadow-puppet theatre, with community ideas helping to shape the installation.

The piece incorporates seating, creating a space designed not only to be viewed but also to provide somewhere to pause and reflect.

The Dominion Centre was also the final destination for the project's official launch trail on 10 September.

Visitors were able to meet artists, see an exhibition, participate in creative workshops and listen to music from local DJ Kaylan.

A different welcome at Southall Station

Southall Station is an especially important location for the project because it provides a first impression of the town for thousands of visitors.

Plans for the South Road overbridge outside Southall Station involve a mural reflecting Southall's cultural heritage, with Ealing-based JG Contemporary Art appointed to create the work.

That makes public art part of the arrival experience rather than something visitors have to deliberately seek out.

For an area with such a distinctive identity, that feels particularly appropriate.

Discover Southall on foot

Although the official launch took place on 10 September, Southall Stories isn't simply a one-day event.

The artworks themselves are the attraction.

The launch demonstrated how they can be connected into a walking route, beginning at Southall Station and continuing through locations including Merrick Road, Norwood Road and the Dominion Centre.

That creates an interesting opportunity for both residents and visitors.

Someone might come to Southall for its restaurants, shops and markets and add the art trail to their visit. Equally, residents who walk past these locations regularly may discover stories about their own neighbourhood that they didn't previously know.

And that's perhaps the strongest idea behind Southall Stories: using the streets people already travel every day to celebrate the history, cultures and individuals that have shaped the town.

At a Glance

What: Southall Stories / Southall Public Art Project
Where: Locations across Southall
Official launch: 10 September 2026
Key locations: Southall Station, Merrick Road, Norwood Road Bridge, Southall Broadway and Dominion Centre & Library
Art: Murals, portraits, sculpture, street furniture and digitally enhanced artwork
Themes: Southall's people, migration, history, culture and music
Artists: Includes Haffendi Anuar, Prem Sahib, TK Hay, Pablo Thomas, Gurdish Haugsdal, Raj Dhunna and Shirin Naveed
Cost to explore: Free.