Keith Flint memorial is unveiled in Hackney
The mural has been created to mark this year's World Suicide Prevention Day
A Keith Flint memorial has been unveiled in Hackney.
The mural, which sees the late Prodigy frontman depicted mid-performance, has been created to mark World Suicide Prevention Day 2021.
Street artist Akse worked on the tribute in partnership with the music and mental wellbeing festival Headstock. The pair have previously collaborated to create a mural of Joy Division’s Ian Curtis for World Mental Health Day 2020.
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The Flint memorial was funded by a Crowdfunder campaign led by Headstock, which raised over £10,650. The team hope to also raise awareness of World Suicide Prevention Day and the mental health text support service, Shout 85258.
Contextualising the project, Headstock founder Atheer Al-Salim said: “Keith Flint was the original firestarter. He was a true trailblazer in electronic music…"
He continued: “Off-stage, Keith struggled with his mental health, and he talked candidly about his ‘dark periods’. Tragically, this culminated in him taking his own life.
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“We’ve created this mural to help remember Keith and ensure that his flame continues to burn brightly – but also to raise awareness of Shout 85258, and the incredible 24/7 text support service it provides. We hope that the mural will help anyone that sees it know that confidential support is just a text message away.”
The Prodigy’s Liam Howlett also commented on the importance of the work, saying: “Respect to everyone for coming together to make this happen for a cause so close to us. Akse has done Keef proud.”
Fans can find the work on the side of the Hackney Co-operative complex at 62 Beechwood Road— less than 100 yards from the old Four Aces Club where the band played their first gig back in 1991.
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Flint passed away in March 2019, aged 49. The Prodigy confirmed the cause of death as suicide.
Safi Bugel is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter