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UEL academic makes artwork history alongside some of London’s most iconic sites

Tuesday 4 May 2010

London Landmarks Pin Badge

A pin badge goes on sale this month with the launch of the London 2012 Shop, which represents a public artwork by UEL Research Fellow Loraine Leeson, in collaboration with Anne Thorne Architects Partnership.

32 badges were designed to represent each of the London boroughs, after a competition was staged last year where Londoners were asked to vote for the most iconic landmark in their borough as part of the ‘1000 Days to Go’ celebrations.

Thousands of votes were received across the capital with Loraine’s public artwork the Catch, winning the vote for the borough of Barking and Dagenham. The piece is situated in Barking town centre on the Fanshawe Avenue roundabout and has become synonomous with this part of London since it was unveiled in 2002.

The scale of Loraine’s achievement can be measured by the fact that some of London’s most iconic landmarks were also chosen for the badges, including Tower Bridge, Neasden Temple, the Crystal Palace radio transmitter, Greenwich Royal Observatory and Westminster Abbey.

Loraine said: "I am delighted that this artwork has been recognised in this way, not least because it reflects the area’s heritage in relation to the hopes and aspirations of Barking’s young people."

Two hundred years ago Barking had the largest fishing fleet in England and provided fish for the whole of London. As part of the project over three hundred children, supported by students from UEL and NewVIc, made a fish and a wish for the future of their community. These were reproduced as their Book of Wishes to feed into Barking’s regeneration strategy and presented to the mayor at the artwork’s launch".

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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