Driving colour into Dagenham: New Art installation celebrates Ford heritage

Not-for-profit housing association Peabody and award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group are working in joint venture to bring forward the first phase of Dagenham Green, delivering 935 new homes as part of a vibrant new community. This initial phase includes a diverse mix of tenures, including private sale, shared ownership, build-to-rent and affordable rent. The wider Dagenham Green masterplan, led by Peabody, will span multiple phases ultimately providing more than 3,500 homes. At its heart will be a five-acre public park complemented by a range of café’s restaurants and workspaces.
The artwork was completed live during the event by street artist Penfold, who is known for his bold and graphic work in public spaces. His latest creation involved applying the final touches to a classic 1966 MK1 Ford Cortina that was originally built at the former Ford factory at the Dagenham site. The bright, eye-catching installation links the site’s manufacturing heritage with the neighbourhood now taking shape.

Ahead of his live installation, Tim led a creative workshop for Future Youth Zone, one of Dagenham’s largest youth clubs. During the session, he worked with the young people to design their own colourful collages, sharing insights into his artistic journey and creative process. Inspired by his enthusiasm and approach, the young participants engaged wholeheartedly, embracing the opportunity to explore their own imaginations and creativity.

Alongside the main artwork, Penfold created mini replica models in tribute to his striking reimagining of the Ford Cortina, one of which was gifted at the unveiling event to the Challingsworth family. 

Penfold’s finished piece is displayed on a shipping container and will remain on site as a striking feature for the local community to enjoy over the next three months. In late spring, the car, provided by industry-acclaimed specialist garage and restoration workshop, Type 2 Detectives, will be transported to The Art Gallery at Escapade Silverstone, located within the legendary F1 circuit. Here, the car will be exhibited during the 2026 Grand Prix. 

The installation helps ensure the site’s stories - from industry and activism to everyday working lives - remain visible as the area is regenerated. 

Tracy Goodman, daughter of the late Dora Challingsworth, said: “It meant a great deal to attend with my family and share the story of courage and sacrifice shown by the women at Dagenham’s Ford pressing plant. I hope our words resonated and that Dagenham Green will continue to honour and keep alive the memory of this important moment for generations to come.” 

Penfold (aka Tim Gresham) comments: “I would like to thank The Hill Group and Peabody for commissioning the installation of an original 1960s Ford Cortina, which I hope captures Dagenham’s remarkable contribution to the history of automobiles worldwide. Street art has the power to shape how people experience the spaces around them, and it’s a true honour to mark Dagenham Green’s history in this way for its newest residents. Even in the heart of winter, I hope this splash of colour brings joy and sets a vibrant, uplifting tone for everyone who passes by!” 

Andy Hill OBE, founder and Group Chief Executive at The Hill Group, comments: “We are grateful to everyone who joined the celebrations to unveil this prominent new artwork at Dagenham Green. The pressing plant that once stood on this site holds a long and influential place in the local community’s history, with its legacy deeply intertwined with the lives of future generations who will call this neighbourhood home. 

“I would particularly like to thank the family of Dora Challingsworth for joining us on this special occasion, and Penfold for his extraordinary creativity in reinvigorating the exterior of this old Ford Cortina on the site where it was originally made in the 1960s. We hope the artwork brings joy and inspiration to everyone who passes by.”  

Angela Wood, Deputy Executive Director of Development at Peabody, comments: “Dagenham Green carries a deep and proud history, shaped by the people who worked here, stood up for change and built a strong community around the site. This artwork is a celebration of that shared story and a reminder that the past still has a place in the neighbourhood we’re creating today. Art can stop people in their tracks, spark conversations and help places feel human and lived in. This piece helps connect new and existing residents to the character, identity and spirit of Dagenham as it continues to grow.”

Tim Gresham, who professionally goes by Penfold, is a Bristol-based artist celebrated for his bold, colourful graphic murals and prints. He experiments fearlessly with colour, form, and design, creating installations that capture a sense of place and bring a vivid, contemporary and optimistic energy to urban streets across the UK.

Prices at Dagenham Green start from £300,000 for a one-bedroom apartment. To find out more, please visit www.dagenhamgreen.co.uk