- Gatwick commissioned Sir Peter Blake to create a walk-through gallery of London-inspired artwork that offers a warm welcome to the capital and reminds people of what is great about Britain
- Initiative in response to passenger feedback and insights from the Airport Passenger Panel declaring that UK airports need more ‘life and soul’ and instil a sense of British pride
- Passengers will be welcomed by artwork in both the North and South terminals
2012-11-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — Gatwick Airport today announces the unveiling of Sir Peter Blake’s new ‘London-inspired’ collection. The godfather of British pop art has created a body of work that celebrates all that is great about the city and will provide a warm welcome to visitors.
The ‘London’ collection, which is being installed in both Gatwick’s North and South terminals, depicts the city through the ages, including iconic buildings and locations, and capturing London’s cosmopolitan and multicultural spirit.
This is a permanent installation at Gatwick, designed to continue the legacy of ‘Brand Britain’ and inspire the British public for many years to come.
Each terminal will feature 12 pieces in total. ‘Teaser’ vinyls run along the piers allowing passengers to become immersed in the artwork from the moment they step off the plane right through to the time they reach the baggage halls in the North and South Terminals where they will see the on canvass collection. The whole display was curated by CCA Galleries, one of the major galleries with whom Sir Peter Blake has been collaborating with over the past decade.
This initiative was inspired by insights from the Airport Passenger Panel and Gatwick’s own passengers who strongly felt that UK airports need a ‘heart and soul’, and to give visitors, or people returning home after holidays, a real sense of arrival in Britain.
Sir Peter Blake, a grandee of British Art, commented: “This project instantly captured my imagination – a chance to showcase London to an international public and to remind Brits how great it is to be back on British soil. I hope it will provide a sense of welcome and that everyone who travels through Gatwick will share my love for both art and London and that they are able to relate to these pieces in some way.”
Gatwick Airport’s Chief Executive Stewart Wingate, commented: “After listening to passengers, we felt it was time to inject more life and colour into the airport and bring to life the vibrancy and dynamism of the main city we’re a gateway to – London. And who better to take on the challenge than Sir Peter Blake, a British icon in his own right. We can’t wait to see passenger reactions as they travel through arrivals.”
Gatwick is committed to delivering the best airport experience for its passengers. This latest collaboration with Sir Peter Blake is in addition to the airport’s ongoing multimillion pound investment programme that aims to improve airport services and facilities to make the experience as enjoyable stress-free as possible for all passengers.
Notes to Editors
About Peter Blake
Godfather of British Pop Art Sir Peter Blake has been collaborating with CCA since 2003, producing spectacular original prints. His work crosses all generational divides, and inspires great respect from younger artists such as Damien Hirst, Gavin Turk, Pure Evil and Tracey Emin. Knighted in 2002, an honorary doctor of the Royal College of Art, and with his work represented in major collections throughout the world, Sir Peter Blake truly is a grandee of British Art.
Sir Peter Blake’s work reflects his fascination with all streams of popular culture, and the beauty to be found in everyday objects and surroundings. Many of his works feature found printed materials such as photographs, comic strips or advertising texts, combined with bold geometric patterns and the use of primary colours. The works perfectly capture the effervescent and optimistic ethos of the sixties, but are also strikingly fresh and contemporary.
There is also a strain of sentimentality and nostalgia running throughout his work, with particular focus towards childhood innocence and reminiscence. Blake is renowned for his connection with the music industry, having produced iconic album covers for the Beatles, Paul Weller, The Who, and Oasis.
About CCA Galleries and Coriander Studio
CCA / Coriander Studio has 40 years experience as one of the world’s leading publishers and galleries specialising in original limited edition prints. CCA Galleries was established in 1972 as Christie’s Contemporary Art, a subsidiary of the famous auction house, Christie’s International. Since 1985 it has been an independent company. In the early days, CCA helped to establish original prints as a major art form in their own right and as a way of collecting genuine high quality art at an affordable price. Today CCA continues to promote these ideals and boasts an enviable international reputation. Our aim today, as it was in 1972, is to seek out and publish the best limited edition prints available by famous and established printmakers, as well as young artists in the early stages of their careers. Since 2010 CCA Galleries has incorporated Coriander Studio; one of Europe’s longest established and most prolific printing studios, specialising in silkscreen and digital techniques.
CCA and Coriander Studios pride themselves on nurturing long-standing working relationships with artists. We work closely with our artists to create their silkscreen prints, before going on to publish and offer them to market. CCA also believes in making contemporary British art accessible to the wider community; both through our website and the CCA Art Bus, which takes exhibitions to schools and towns across the UK.
CCA also has a wide collection of original paintings (by artists including Sandra Blow RA, Donald Hamilton Fraser RA, Sir Terry Frost RA and John Hoyland RA).
For more information contact:
Gatwick Airport press office
t: + 44 (0) 1293 505000
e: gatwickmedia@gatwickairport.com
About Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Airport is the UK’s second largest airport and the busiest single-runway airport in the world. It serves around 200 destinations in 90 countries for around 34 million passengers a year on short- and long-haul point-to-point services. It is also a major economic driver for the South-East region, generating around 23,000 on-airport jobs and a further 13,000 jobs through related activities. The airport is 28 miles south of London with excellent public transport links, including the Gatwick Express. Gatwick Airport is owned by a group of international investment funds, of which Global Infrastructure Partners is the largest shareholder.
Media enquiries to
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Sir Peter Blake unveils his permanent art installation at Gatwick