Public Artwork in South Acton Hit By Arson Attacks

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Tree of Life mosaic damaged following destruction of People's Throne

The damaged mosaic on Palmerston Road. Picture: Carrie Reichardt

June 3, 2025

Two apparently motiveless attacks have taken place this month on public art works in the South Acton area.

The People’s Throne, a sculpture on Bollo Bridge Road by local artist, 42-year-old Adebayo Bolaji, was badly damaged when it was set on fire on Wednesday 14 May.

He had created it with the aim of uplifting the community in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement and the death of George Floyd.

The first he heard of the attack was the following day, which happened to be his birthday, when he was sent video clips of the sculpture on fire by his brother.

He told the Evening Standard that he believed that the attack was deliberate and there was a cloth dowsed in oil found at the scene indicating that the person responsible premeditated the fire.

The People’s Throne was unveiled in 2023 in the new public plaza at Acton Gardens and represented seven key values of the area.

The People's Throne after the attack. Picture: Adebayo Bolaji

Adébayo Bolaji on 'The People's Throne'

It incorporates a mural on the reverse which was designed with help from the local community and the youth centre, which Adé used to attend. This was achieved through a series of workshops that were hosted by the artist at the Acton Gardens Community Centre to develop his ideas, as well as working closely with those interested in the arts to create the sculpture.

Then over the Bank Holiday weekend there was another attack on a piece of public art on the estate, this time the ‘South Acton Tree of Life’ was hit. This is a mural created by internationally renowned artist Carrie Reichardt working alongside community groups on Palmerston Road near South Acton train station.

Carrie described the attack as vandalism but has no idea who is responsible.

An Ealing Council spokesperson said, “We are saddened to learn of what appears to have been targeted damage to the Tree of Life Mosaic, which means a great deal to the community of South Acton. We are liaising with police and partner, as well as L&Q who own and manage the estate, to identify those responsible and ensure they are held to account.”

The Metropolitan Police have been asked for a comment.

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