SEZGINRenowed 3D artist and sculptor Faith Bebbington supported by Veolia has unveiled ‘Tree Goddess’, the latest installation to be exhibited as part of the cultural art initiative from Art of London, ‘Brighter Future’, which features interpretations by up-and-coming artists of the theme, ‘building a better, brighter future in the city’.
The installation at The Londoner in Leicester Square celebrates the sustainability of Westminster.
‘Brighter Future’, a series of major public-realm art commissions, has been developed in collaboration with some of the UK’s leading cultural institutions and commercial brands including National Gallery X, FujiFilm and now Veolia.
Commissioned by the waste management contractor to Westminster City Council, Tree Goddess touches upon the possibility of change towards a more sustainable future and away from our wasteful society. Standing at 3m tall, the sculpture incorporates over one thousand aluminium cans collected locally in a beautiful statement of the power of recycling and sustainability.
The cans were collected by Veolia recycling crews from events held in Westminster throughout the year, many of which took place just a few hundred metres from the sculpture’s home in Leicester Square. The use of the cans in the Tree Goddess are an example of a truly circular story, as aluminium cans can be recycled time and time again without losing any quality, and represents Veolia’s ambitions to bring about ecological transformation and a truly circular economy.
Bebbington says: “I am delighted to contribute to the Brighter Future season with Art of London and Veolia. It’s incredible to be able to showcase my new sculpture in the heart of the West End and I’m excited to see how visitors react to it. I think green spaces are important for our well being so when I’m in a busy city I always seek out green space like leafy Leicester Square. It’s a perfect place to relax and recharge and look at sculpture.”
Helder Branco, General Manager, Veolia Westminster, adds: “We are very proud to have commissioned the Tree Goddess and to be working once again with the fantastic artist, Faith Bebbington and Art of London. Faith’s use of recycled materials represents exactly what Veolia are trying to achieve, and creating the circular story through the aluminium cans collected from Westminster events such as Pride, West End Live and the London Marathon, shows that we can do more with waste, and how we can create a positive impact. We hope to convey our pursuit of ecological transformation in a positive light, and highlight for visitors how we can all make a difference for our shared future, together.”
Mark Williams, Director of Art of London, comments: “Since launching in August, ‘Brighter Future’ is proving to be a great success; the artwork and installations so far have brought colour and joy back to the iconic West End. We intended for this exhibition to be a statement for how the City can embrace a ‘Brighter Future’, and Faith Bebbington’s piece is a shining example of how resources can be transformed. I’d like to thank Veolia for commissioning the piece, and we hope it encourages passersby to see the possibilities in sustainability for the area.”
Across the West End, visitors will find free art in areas such as Leicester Square and St James’s Market. Londoners and tourists alike can make a day of it in the West End by using Art of London’s handy guides, which include food, art and culture stops to suit any type of trip, from family days out or the perfect cultural experience for aficionados.
‘Tree Goddess’ will be on display until November at The Londoner hotel, Leicester Square, as part of ‘Brighter Future’, a new public art commission by Art of London developed with the National Gallery X, running until October 2022.
Visit www.artoflondon.co.uk/brighterfuture.
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