UK Power Networks – Whitechapel community arts project (2013)
The young artists’ unusual canvas has been the brick façade of an electricity substation in Osborn Street, Whitechapel, at the entrance to Brick Lane. The project is part of UK Power Networks’ £40million investment to redevelop its existing electricity substation in the neighbourhood.
Nirmal Kotecha, director of capital programme and procurement at UK Power Networks, said: “The artwork showcases the rich history and diversity of the East End from a child’s perspective. We hope the community will enjoy this vibrant addition to the street scene for years to come. This project has given us a chance to work closely with schoolchildren in this local community and we can’t wait to see the looks on the children’s faces when their designs are finally unveiled.”
The East London schoolchildren who created the artworks were from St Paul’s Primary School, Osmani Primary School, Shapla Primary School, Blue Gate Fields Junior School and Christ Church Primary School. The children, who were aged between seven and nine when they took part in the competition, are now aged between ten and 12, and some are now at secondary school.
The ten winning designs, which depict images relating to the history of the community, have now been turned into giant mosaics and put onto the wall of the Osborn Street substation.
On the other side of Whitechaple in Willis Street, Poplar artist Gary Drostle opened the artwork ‘Electron Flow’ with help from local residents.
A QR code on the design links to a video about the area created by pupils at Langdon Park school.
The two projects were part of UK Power Networks’ multimillion pound redevelopment scheme.
Project Team
Gary Drostle
[ contact info ]
Marcel Baettig
Bow Arts
Jenny Hunte
Poplar HARCA
