The Power of Public Art

Pictured above: ‘Here we come, here we rise’, the new public artwork in Brent Cross Town created by Lakwena in collaboration with IF_DO.

Public art has the power to inspire anyone, at any time. With a rich history of producing groundbreaking creatives, the UK, and London in particular, is recognised as a global art destination. What sets it apart from other countries is its publicly displayed art offering. From Anthony Gormley’s striking figures at Gateshead and Crosby Beach, to Tracey Emin’s neon scrawls in Margate and at St Pancras station in London, there’s no shortage of captivating work available to enjoy. Barbara Hepworth’s Winged Figure has become an iconic fixture of John Lewis on Oxford Street,  while Anish Kapoor’s  114.5-metre sculpture and observation tower ArcelorMittal Orbit is an unmissable reminder of the 2012 Olympics, located at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford.

The Amherst Public Art Commission explains that, “It is now a well-accepted principle of urban design that public art contributes to a community’s identity, fosters community pride and a sense of belonging, and enhances the quality of life for its residents and visitors.” According to the Association of Public Art, “Public art can express community values, enhance our environment, transform a landscape, heighten our awareness, or question our assumptions.” 

Here at Brent Cross Town we are committed to continually investing in the inimitable power of public art, with many locally displayed projects already in place. A firm favourite moment from 2021 was the unveiling of Finnish-born London based artist Annu Kilpeläinena’s large-scale mural, covering the gable wall on the parade of shops at Claremont Way. Her work is inherently euphoric with its use of bright, rich colours. To reflect the history of the local area, Kilpeläinen draws on the work of botanist William Cattley, who lived in the Borough of Barnet from 1788-1835.

Aside from the obvious aesthetic appeal, research has shown that public art provides a wealth of benefits to the people that experience it. According to UAP public art plays a valuable role  in the development of ‘wisdom’, encouraging thought and enabling educational opportunities for communities. They say, “Specific applications were found to effect change and offer educational benefits.” Its community-building influence can help combat feelings of anxiety and social isolation, and a 2018 London-based study uncovered that 84% of respondents felt that taking part in public art projects allowed their own wellbeing to flourish and grow.

In July 2022, we celebrated the installation of artist Hanna Benihoud’s multicoloured work Rainbow of Ribbons, at newly opened Claremont Park. As well as being an eye-popping art piece at the heart of a sprawling new green space, this work doubles as a rain screen for family business Gussy’s Ice Cream Parlour. Benihoud is known for creating public art and blurs the worlds of architecture and design to make pieces that engage local communities. In order to produce this work for Brent Cross Town, she spent time getting to know local people. On shaping the piece she explains, “I spent a sunny day in the park with a load of brilliant local children of all ages – from toddlers right through teenagers – playing with colours and shapes to see what inspired them. Eventually a theme of a rainbow made from ribbons shone through.”

Other highlights since the launch of Brent Cross Town have included Alistair Lambert’s alternative Christmas tree and workshops with The Amazing Art Cart at our Visitor Pavilion. In 2023 there’s plenty more art to come, so keep your eyes on our Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to find out more. In the words of journalist Ella Alexander, “Public art does something that no gallery can do. It can capture the eye and mind of someone just passing by.”