Rooted in Kensington: Tree Island
Public art to celebrate (bio)diversity

Celebration of diversity
in nature and in culture

Commissioned by Opportunity Kensington BID for London Festival of Architecture and Kensington + Chelsea Art Week, June 2026.

A placemaking installation in environmentally-friendly vinyl, plywood and sculptural structure by Toy Studio, cu exploring biodiversity, the microbiome and Kensington's cultural heritage. Curated by Vestalia Chilton.

MAMIMU is a London-based artist and designer on a mission to spread optimism through colourful, research-led public art — with commissions for Opportunity Kensington BID, Culture Mile BID, and Coventry BID.

Tree Island: Public art installation commissioned by Opportunity Kensington BID, in collaboration with Toy Studio.

From soil to gut to community, diversity is essential for wellbeing. Minibeasts, plants, bacteria, and people all play equally important roles. And what sustains all living things is the microbiome. This public art installation draws inspiration from the microscopic life. 

In association with:
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea logo
Opportunity Kensington logo
london festival of architecture logo
Kensigton+Chelsea Art Week logo
Illustration of bacteria with the text "Rooted in Kensington."

Tree Island by MAMIMU and Toy Studio in partnership with Opportunity Kensington reimagines the symbolic “missing tree" through seating, planting and sculptural signage inspired by underground ecological networks and urban biodiversity.

'Rooted in Kensington: Tree Island' public art by MAMIMU and Toy Studio with colorful shapes inspired by biodiversity and microbiome, set against a brick building background.

“Rooted inKensington” brings together art, biodiversity and architecture to showcase Kensington as an ecosystem of Belonging — one that thrives on the connections between human and non-human, nature and culture, the visible and the invisible.


Colorful outdoor art installation featuring a sign that says 'ROOTED IN KENSINGTON' hanging from a wooden arch, with abstract, brightly colored shapes on vertical wooden panels against a brick building background.
Colorful outdoor art installation featuring a sign that says 'ROOTED IN KENSINGTON' hanging from a wooden arch, with abstract, brightly colored shapes on vertical wooden panels against a brick building background.
Colorful banners with abstract flower and design patterns hanging outside a building with brick walls and tall windows, indicating an outdoor market or festival.
Colorful banners with abstract flower and design patterns hanging outside a building with brick walls and tall windows, indicating an outdoor market or festival.
Artists MAMIMU (June Mineyama-Smithson) and Toy Studio (Toby Plunkett) standing outdoors in front of a sign that reads 'Rooted in Kensington.'
Artists MAMIMU (June Mineyama-Smithson) and Toy Studio (Toby Plunkett) standing outdoors in front of a sign that reads 'Rooted in Kensington.'
A colorful informational sign titled 'Rooted in Kensington' placed in soil among small green plants and fallen leaves. The sign contains text about a public art trail and various graphic illustrations of stylized plants and natural elements.
A colorful informational sign titled 'Rooted in Kensington' placed in soil among small green plants and fallen leaves. The sign contains text about a public art trail and various graphic illustrations of stylized plants and natural elements. 
with Toby Plunkett at Toy Studio 
Photo: Graham Fudger

Inspiration

Colours of Kensington

The colours are drawn from Kensington's rich heritage and culture: the cobalt blue of Leighton House's Arab Hall, the velvet red of the Royal Albert Hall, the psychedelic hues of Biba, and the pink cherry blossoms of Kyoto Gardens, Holland Park.

Microbiomes

A microscopic world that mirrors the richness and variety of human and non-human community. The gut microbiome and soil microbiome are two of the most vital and complex ecosystems on Earth.

Art

We are deeply interconnected with them — and with all the creatures and plants in between. By nurturing these relationships, we can enhance our wellbeing as part of a shared human and non-human community.

Microbiome and Kensington colour inspired art by London-based artist MAMIMU, June Mineyama-Smithson
Microbiome and Kensington colour inspired art by London-based artist MAMIMU, June Mineyama-Smithson

Get out in nature: 20–30 minutes in nature produces a measurable drop in cortisol. (Frontiers in Psychology, 2019)

Touch the soil: Digging releases a natural antidepressant, straight from the ground. (University of Bristol & UCL, 2007)

Did you know: Minibeasts make up 97% of all animal life on Earth. (Center for Biological Diversity)

Watch a butterfly for 15 minutes: Your anxiety measurably drops. (Butler et al.)

Smell the belonging: Scents are the most powerful triggers of autobiographical memory. (PubMed Central Ambio)

Infographic with colorful abstract shapes and text boxes about mental health benefits of nature, soil, butterflies, and scents, with references to scientific sources.
Infographic with colorful abstract shapes and text boxes about mental health benefits of nature, soil, butterflies, and scents, with references to scientific sources.

Facts & Figures

To top off the installation, fascinating facts and statistics about biodiversity and their positive effects on well‑being have been added.

The Concept: Diverse community = Healthy Community

In case you are interested in more academic side of my research for this public art project:

A diverse population (like healty biodiversity & healthy gut) bringing their culture, creativity, and energy. I researched the concepts of “One Health (WHO)”, “Non-Anthropocentrism” and “Gut-Brain Axis” to come up with the colourful microbiome inspired artwork.

One Health (WHO) shows how human, animal, and ecosystem health are deeply connected, from the minibeasts that pollinate, decompose, and keep soil alive, to the fact that over 80% of the food we eat comes from plants that depend on that same soil health.

One Health diagramme
One Health diagramme 
Image credits: 
Muhummed, A. M., Lanker, K. C., Yersin, S., Zinsstag, J., & Vonaesch, P. (2025). One Health, One Microbiome. Microbiome, 13, 216. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-025-02231-6
“Anthropocentric vs Non-Anthropocentric Design," CNAP (Center for Non-Anthropocentric Play), Noroff University College. Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Source: noroff.no/forskning/cnap

Non-anthropocentrism decentres humans as the sole focus of value, positioning people as one part of a wider web of species, from minibeasts to microbes, whose health and flourishing are equally worthy of care.

Gut-Brain Axis Through this axis, the gut microbiome produces neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which can directly affect emotional well-being, cognitive function, and stress resilience.

Artist June Mineyama-Smithson with dark hair wearing a colorful patterned jacket putting up artwork on a black wall in a shop. 
Photo by Elaine Potter

Can we collaborate?

3 BID commissions · 2 UK cities · 2026 ongoing

I’m June aka MAMIMU, a London-based Japanese artist/graphic designer/educator on a mission to spread optimism. If you share the same vision and want to make the world a better place through public art, product collaboration, workshops, or anything else, let’s talk. 

Together, we can amplify our impact and create a brighter future for all. As well as Opportunity Kensington BID, I have worked with Culture Mile BID and Coventry BID and understand the ambition and unique challenges you may have.

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