Sahra Hersi appointed artist for new public art commission in East London

UP Projects and LLDC partner with artist Sahra Hersi to create a public art piece focused on safety and inclusivity for women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals in the Marshgate Lane area.

Sahra Hersi. Image by Fiona Cuypers-Stanienda.

Public art organisation, UP Projects, in partnership with the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), has appointed artist Sahra Hersi to create a new public art commission in East London. The project, located in the Marshgate Lane and Pudding Mill Lane area adjacent to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, will address concerns raised by the local community about safety in this public throughway. In particular, the artwork will respond to issues of safety faced by women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals, in line with LLDC’s Handbook: Creating Places that Work for Women and Girls.

In collaboration with eight female Community Collaborators, who were selected through an open call process, Hersi will lead a series of workshops over nine sessions to explore the concept of safety and its implications within the context of the site. Through co-creation, the group will decide on the location, design, and materials for the artwork. The final piece is expected to be unveiled in the summer of 2025, aiming to make the area more welcoming and inclusive for all.

The project has garnered support from key figures including Hersi, who expressed her enthusiasm for working on a project that highlights the vital issue of safety in public spaces. Moira Lascelles, Executive Director of UP Projects, emphasised the importance of involving those with lived experience of the area in the creation of the artwork. Peter Maxwell, Director of Design at LLDC, echoed this sentiment, noting that the project aligns with their wider efforts to improve local infrastructure and create a lasting legacy of safety and inclusivity for the community.

upprojects.com.