When Art Meets Community

There's something magical about stumbling upon unexpected art in the urban landscape. A splash of colour on a grey wall, a moment of beauty in the everyday hustle – it's these discoveries that can transform how we experience our neighbourhoods. This summer, we had the privilege of being part of creating one of these moments on Bethnal Green Road.

A Partnership Built on Shared Values

Our collaboration with Blank Walls has been an ongoing journey of bringing art into public spaces, and this latest project represents everything we love about working with like-minded creatives. When we approached artist Albert Agwa for this commission, we weren't looking to create a billboard or advertisement – we wanted to contribute something genuinely artistic to the local community.

The timing couldn't have been more perfect. With the recent launch of our Big Mouth bottles – the new 4L and 2L sizes designed for sharing – we found ourselves thinking about connection, community, and the simple joy of bringing people together. These themes felt like a natural fit for a public art piece in one of London's most vibrant neighbourhoods.

Albert Agwa's Vision Takes Shape

Albert Agwa brought his distinctive abstract style to the project, interpreting our brief in ways that surprised and delighted us. Rather than creating something literal or commercial, he captured the essence of sharing and connection through flowing forms and dynamic composition. The mural depicts a Big Mouth bottle being poured, with drinks shared in a celebration of community – all rendered in his signature abstract approach.

The color palette Albert chose speaks to summer's warmth and energy. Bright, optimistic tones that seem to radiate from the wall, creating an instant mood lift for anyone passing by. These aren't the corporate colors you might expect from a brand collaboration – they're the colors of joy, of sunshine, of those perfect moments when strangers become friends over a shared drink.

Art Without Agenda

One of the most important aspects of this project was ensuring it felt authentic to the neighbourhood rather than like branded content. We wanted to add to Bethnal Green's rich artistic landscape, not dominate it. The challenge was creating something that referenced our product while remaining, first and foremost, a work of art.

Albert's abstract interpretation solved this beautifully. The mural works on multiple levels – those familiar with our Big Mouth bottles will recognise the inspiration, while others will simply see a vibrant piece of public art that brightens their day. It's art that happens to have a story, rather than advertising disguised as art.

Community Canvas

Bethnal Green Road has always been a corridor of creativity and community. From the markets to the galleries, from the historic pubs to the modern co-working spaces, it's a street that embodies London's ability to blend tradition with innovation. Adding Albert's mural to this environment felt like joining a conversation that's been happening for decades.

The location itself – the side of a building that thousands of people pass daily – transforms the art into a shared experience. It's not hanging in a gallery where you have to seek it out; it's part of the daily rhythm of the neighbourhood. Commuters, residents, visitors – everyone becomes part of the artwork's audience.

Beyond the Brush

Public art projects like this one remind us why creative partnerships matter. They're not just about creating beautiful objects; they're about fostering connections – between brands and communities, between artists and audiences, between neighbours who might stop to admire the same wall.

The mural has become a small landmark, a meeting point, a backdrop for photos and conversations. It's achieved something that traditional advertising rarely can: it's become part of the community's story rather than an interruption to it.

Looking Forward

As we watch people interact with Albert's creation – pointing it out to friends, pausing to appreciate the details, using it as a reference point for directions – we're reminded of art's power to enhance our shared spaces. This collaboration with Blank Walls and Albert Agwa represents the kind of community engagement we want to pursue: thoughtful, artistic, and genuinely additive to the neighbourhoods we're part of.

The mural stands as a testament to what's possible when brands step back from traditional advertising and instead ask: "How can we contribute something beautiful to the world?" Sometimes the answer is as simple as giving a talented artist a wall and the freedom to create something that brings a little more joy to everyone's day.

The Chilly's x Blank Walls x Albert Agwa mural can be found on Bethnal Green Road, adding a splash of artistic energy to one of London's most dynamic neighbourhoods.

About Blank Walls

Blank Walls is a street art company based out of London and Perth, Australia, known for producing high-quality murals, public art and artist-led collaborations. Working closely with a global network of street artists, they deliver bold, creative projects that connect brands with culture and transform boring urban spaces.

Website: www.blankwalls.com
Instagram: @blankwalls__

Albert Agwa is an artist working and living in Tottenham, London. Working with figurative forms, his playful use of colour and shape create bold, uniformed paintings. Agwa takes his inspiration from street culture making artwork focused on accessibility and connectivity. He utilises a variety of media to create quality, aesthetically driven paintings.

Instagram: @albert_agwa