La Boca to La Stocka
In the summer of 2023, artists Eva Luna Maissa, Patrica Salatino, Melina Lluvia, Omar Gasparini and Alejandro Fenochio made the journey from La Boca (Argentina) to GRIT Studios, Stockport (La Stocka).
La Boca to La Stocka is a welcoming and inclusive project involving people of all ages. The artists worked collaboratively with 12 local artists and over 200 residents including Local businesses, students, Stockport street artists, people of all ages and abilities, all joining forces to create the huge multi-coloured mural which has become a key feature of a creative corridor, linking the area with the town centre.
Why La Boca?
In the early 1900’s, La Boca attracted migrants from all over the world, all seeking work in its many docks and shipyards. When ships grew bigger, the shipyards and docks of the area lost out to rivals in the north of the city, and the area fell into decline. It’s once grand buildings standing grey and decaying.
Benito Quinquela Martin, a local man who grew up carrying coal in the shipyards of La Boca, cared passionately about his neighbourhood and felt that the children of La Boca should experience culture, but knew that they could never afford to go to an art gallery.
So in the 1950’s he began to paint the dull, grey buildings of the port in bright colours, often using left over paint from ship repairs. The children of La Boca could have their own art gallery with its centrepiece known as El Caminito.
Today, La Boca – still a very tough neighbourhood and in parts a shanty town – attracts people from all over the world. They come to see these higgledy piggledy painted buildings and the murals created by the heirs to Benito’s artistic throne – today’s artists of La Boca.
A few years ago we started formulating an idea and asking – what do you suppose would happen if you could take the spirit of La Boca and transport it to one of Stockport’s greyest streets. Imagine if the heirs to Benito’s artistic legacy worked with artists from Stockport and the people of the neighbourhood to create a mini El Caminito. Right here on Hopes Carr - El Poquito Caminito you might say.
Well, we don’t have to just suppose anymore. Together we’ve done it.
Thank you so much to everyone who supported the project. The residents who appeared with brews and food, the local musicians and dancers who entertained and the people of Stockport who so warmly welcomed strangers into their town and demonstrated a level of warmth and openness to be proud of.
