Inspired by the long-distance transport trucks of South Asia - bold, brightly coloured and highly decorated with garlands of pompoms and intricate metalwork that glitters in the sun - this exciting community project brings that aesthetic to Ilford. With support from Colours of Redbridge, the local community has built its own all-electric ‘Truck Art’ van, adorned with hand-painted panels that celebrate what feels like home within the London Borough of Redbridge.

We were commissioned to design and install the illuminated elements on the truck and to provide a programmable, easy-to-use lighting control interface. This was a creative project that required us to design a lighting scheme that complemented the handcrafted metalwork created by local blacksmith Felicity Jones. With our experience of crafting lighting solutions for unusual builds and working with a wide range of materials, we were well placed to meet the needs of the brief.

We used Cabochon lights, installed in bespoke metal ‘lollipops’ painted to match the metalwork and meticulously measured and positioned to ensure none of the hand-painted panels were obscured. The lights were mapped and programmed to create stunning pixel animations, bringing the artwork to life at night. Our custom control system allowed the team at Colours of Redbridge to trigger different looks at the press of a button, enabling them to take over the control for promotional events.

In 2026, the Truck Art van will tour around Bradford as part of the UK City of Culture programme.