What was it like as a place?
It was colourful, but the council didn’t take much care of it. Gangs in the area would damage things, so they sort of gave up on the estate. But everyone would bring their own objects from their gardens to the communal areas, so I’m trying to recreate some of those things. There’s a Nigerian parable my parents used to say: ‘People are your clothes.’ It was the people that made the playground colourful and fun.
You’re also doing upcycling workshops during the festival.
Yeah, with Restoration Station, which works with people in recovery. It’s a great project. I’ve got friends who have been through a tough time, and people haven’t given them a second chance. I think if someone is willing to make amends, and start a new chapter, it’s important not to look down on them.
A lot of your projects are about that, giving furniture a kind of new life.
Wherever I go, I’ll see a chair that’s been thrown away, and all it needs is a screwdriver to fix it. I’m trying to encourage people to recycle and reuse what they have. We can live better lives and breathe fresher air... People just need a bit of education and inspiration.