The Wall of Icons mural was commissioned for the newly established Diversity Dance Studio in Westcliff, Essex, to inspire, educate and provide examples of Black people as outstanding achievers from different walks of life. Every face that adorns the walls is a role model that inspired dancer, choreographer and presenter Ashley Banjo to strive and achieve success as he was growing up.
The close-knit Banjo family, and the extended dance family that make up the 'Diversity' performance group, work together both in the entertainment field and teaching classes at the studio. The troupe burst onto the mainstream entertainment scene as contestants and winners of Britain's Got Talent in 2009 and have continued to inspire through dance on television and tours across the globe.
The Diversity Studio in Westcliff is not an exclusive or elitist closed-door venue. It is open to all members of the community who have a passion for dance. As young people walk the corridors of the new studio, they can climb the stairs and be surrounded by those who have overcome challenges, struggles and setbacks to become the most successful and influential artists in their respective fields.
The people featured in the mural may occasionally be controversial, but all share focus, determination, aspirations and dreams to succeed beyond the challenges they've faced. They have inspired and continue to inspire new generations.
View this post on Instagram
The mural was created by mural artist Gnasher, who is based in Essex and has been painting large-scale murals since 1985.
So, who features on Wall of Icons?
Musicians
Unsurprisingly for a dancer, most of the influential role models featured come from the world of music.
Missy Elliot is a groundbreaking female rapper, record producer, philanthropist, and multi-award-winning global artist. Selling over 40 million records, she has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and has campaigned against animal cruelty.
It is hard to imagine anyone who has not heard of, listened to or been influenced by Bob Marley's music and legacy. Although he died in 1981, he has continued to posthumously receive accolade after accolade for his incredible contribution to reggae music, awareness of Jamaican culture and Rastafarianism.
The Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls was an American rapper who died in 1997 at the age of 24 from a shooting. He made an indelible contribution to hip hop and gangster rap music. His talent was recognised and celebrated by Rolling Stone, Billboard and MTV, putting him among the greatest of all time in his genre, with significant posthumous popularity.
Usher is a musician, philanthropist actor and political activist. He has supported many projects, particularly for the disaffected and disadvantaged. He is the recipient of the Freedom Award (2011) which honours individuals who work for justice, equality, philanthropy, civil and human rights and humanitarian causes.
Lauryn Hill is a singer, actor and philanthropist. Lauded as one of the best female rappers of all time, she came to prominence in the UK with the group Fugees. She also appeared alongside Whoopi Goldberg in the film Sister Act 2.
Michael Jackson was a singer, songwriter and dancer. Despite persistent and numerous controversies and scandals in later years, Jackson had a huge impact over 40 years in the music industry, pushing the boundaries and limits in music and dance, continuous reinvention, creativity and innovation. He is estimated to have achieved over 400 million record sales.
Run DMC were a trailblazing and influential 1980s hip hop group. They were the first hip hop group to appear on MTV and they sold several multi-platinum albums.
Bruno Mars is an American singer-songwriter who has sold over 130 million records worldwide. He holds three Guinness World Records and has received multiple music industry awards and accolades, including 15 Grammys. Born in Hawaii, he has been involved in many philanthropic projects including scholarships, disaster relief and food poverty.
Wall of Icons also features artists considered controversial yet have inspired many through their music, awards and accolades, such as James Brown ('The Godather of Soul'), DMX and Chris Brown.
N.W.A. were hip hop artists whose lineup included Ice Cube, Dr Dre and Easy E. Protest themes around police brutality, racial profiling and injustice featured heavily in their music.
Tupac Shakur was an American rapper. He was shot and killed aged just 25 in 1996. He sold more than 75 million records worldwide: a tragically short but prolific and impactful career.
Actors
Will Smith is an American actor, rapper and film producer. Starting as a rap artist and winning multiple music industry awards, he went on to star in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air on television in the 1990s. Smith has accumulated an incredible catalogue of film credits and achievements. Grossing over $9 billion globally, he has been one of the most bankable stars commanding up to $100 million per film.
Denzel Washington (top left) is an American actor, producer and director with a career spanning nearly 50 years. He has been nominated for awards over 209 times. He is a prolific philanthropist, supporting armed forces personnel and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. His roles have included many complicated or inspiring characters including real-life portrayals of Stephen Biko and Malcolm X.
Chadwick Boseman is best known for playing Marvel's 'Black Panther', but the actor had an extensive acting catalogue prior to his death from cancer in 2020. He supported charitable work associated with cancer diagnosis and care especially for children.
Activists
Martin Luther King Jnr was a prominent civil rights leader and activist, a Baptist Minister and a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for combating racial inequality through non-violent protest. His actions and words continue to inspire and galvanise people to strive for equality. His 'I Have a Dream' speech was a watershed moment for the civil rights movement. He was assassinated in 1968.
Rosa Parks was a civil rights activist. One of her most famous acts was the Montgomery Bus protests, initiated by her refusal to give up her bus seat for a white passenger in the designated 'coloured' section of the bus. She was arrested for this action, and then led a year of protest boycotts against bus companies' segregation policies. She became a key figure in the civil rights movement, campaigning for social justice throughout her life.
Sport
Muhammad Ali was a legendary professional heavyweight boxer and activist. He won 56 of his 61 professional matches. Ali was famous for waxing lyrical about his opponents in and out of the ring; his poetry and rhymes delivered sharp and comical commentary. He became a conscientious objector refusing to serve in the army and be drafted to fight in the Vietnam War, citing his religious beliefs and opposition to American involvement in Vietnam.
He went on to become an activist speaking at events and colleges around the USA. His stance against drafting set him as a powerful and inspirational figure for many black Americans. He was a member of the Nation of Islam, later converting to Sunni Islam.
Michael Jordan is regarded as one of the best basketball players of all time, playing 15 seasons for the NBA. He is also a successful businessman, with film acting credits to his name. The Jordan brand, created in collaboration with Nike, further raised his profile around the globe influencing a new generation of players and young people both on and off the basketball court. In the wake of the George Floyd protest, his brand pledged $100 million to ensuring racial equality, social justice and greater access to education.
Fashion
Virgil Abloh is a fashion designer and creative. Abloh has worked and collaborated with some of the giants of the fashion industry including Fendi and Louis Vuitton, as well as establishing his own brands such as 'Off White'. He has collaborated with IKEA and Nike, and he has diversified into art and music, through DJing and designing album artwork for artists such as Kanye West.
Tracy Jenkins, Public Art Manager at Art UK
This content was created as part of the Art UK Murals Digitisation and Engagement programme
