Paddington Square Announces Major Public Art Programme
Paddington Square has today announced a major programme of public art commissions, celebrating first London permanent public works by internationally renowned artists Ugo Rondinone, Pae White and Catherine Yass.
Gracing the new piazza space between Praed Street and Paddington Station, a 5-metre high bronze sculpture by Ugo Rondinone will provide a striking new focal point for the millions of visitors travelling into Paddington station every year. Rondinone is famed for the Seven Magic Mountains installation in the Las Vegas desert – a global magnet for photographers and art fans, and one of the most instagrammed art projects in the world.
Pae White will suspend a large and experiential installation, framing the entrance to the new landmark 14-storey building designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop. This will be White’s first permanent work in the UK.
Marking the eastern boundary of the site, on Tanner Lane, Turner-Prize nominee Catherine Yass will take over a 24-metre-long wall of the neighbouring St Mary’s Hospital to deliver a large-scale collaborative photographic installation featuring and celebrating NHS workers.
The fourth component of the public art package sees a rotational mural series on Tanner Lane, curated in partnership with local gallery The Showroom. The commissioned murals will each be in-situ for one year, responding to the overarching theme of ‘care’. Artist Kathrin Böhm will launch the series in 2022, followed by Rhea Dillon in 2023 and Long Distance Press (Adam Shield and Thomas Whittle) in 2024.
The Paddington Square art programme has been led by developer Sellar and London-based curatorial agency Lacuna, and will mark the inauguration of a new Paddington Art Walk by The Paddington Partnership, incorporating over 30 pieces across the district.
The artworks will be unveiled with the full opening of Paddington Square in 2022.