Dutch artist Wouter Osterholt has finished his winter residency in Dagenham, which he spent exploring the utopian vision of the Becontree Estate.

The Berlin-based artist held meetings with residents, historians, architects, councillors and community works to help inform his work.

Over a period of five months, Wouter worked on a project called “Beacon Tree”, named after the name given to the area in the Domesday Book of 1086.

The tree that gave the area its name served as a location where meetings took place.

In an effort to reignite an ancient tradition of community gatherings, Wouter took to the streets with an easel and a set of acrylic paint to paint trees.

Whenever a passer-by approached him while he was working, he would invite them to be painted standing around the tree.

Wouter would then give the residents a copy of the painting and will also be invited to discuss social issues and the artist’s experiences working on the estate.

Following Wouter’s residency, performance and video artist Alice Theobald will now take up a spot in The White House.

The White House has also announced that this summer, a local artist residency programme will begin, meaning six artists will be able to use the studio space from May until September.