from Westminster Council
April 2008
Westminster Council has unanimously granted approval for the public works of art at Kingdom Street, the tree-lined paved pedestrianised boulevard forming the backbone of the second phase in PaddingtonCentral’s development
Development Securities and Morley Fund Management working with Plan Projects, have now commissioned the works of art by John Aiken, Gary Webb and Steven Gontarski with a prospective installation date of August 2008.
John Aiken will be producing twin sculptures fabricated from Portuguese silver gray granite. Laid into the stone the artist will fix colour enamel panels to produce two works that explore the role of colour in sculpture. It is the first time he has used colour in this way and therefore represents a significant step forward in the artist’s practice; his point of interest is to ‘explore the tensions that can arise when the natural and the artificial are combined.’ In this he is making a direct link with British Sculpture of the 60s, when artists such as Phillip King and Anthony Caro where experimenting with painting steel.
There is also a link with the contemporary scene that connects Aiken with the other two artists involved at PaddingtonCentral, Gary Webb and Steve Gontarski. Both these artists are using colour to very dramatic effect. They reflect our times in which colour is ‘more universally available’ within the built environment, and in our world generally.
Gary Webb will be producing two works, each to be sited in the water features at the opening of the new square at the western end of Kingdom Street. These are true to his trade mark style, colourfully painted steel ‘blobs’ held together in a mesh of metal tubing.
Steven Gontarski will be producing a ‘bright yellow object’ made from painted and lacquered glass fibre that ‘lends to a corporeal reception by the public…to create a heart in the midst of an urban setting.’ The work will be sited outside the entrance to One Kingdom Street; the Sheppard Robson designed office building completed in February 2008.
Notes to Editors:
PaddingtonCentral, the 2 million sq ft Development Securities and Morley Fund Management scheme is the only place in London where you can live, work, play and travel from the same location. The first phase, Sheldon Square, was completed in 2002 and has become established as one of central London’s premier developments. Major office occupiers include Prudential and Kingfisher plc, with a selection of supporting retail, restaurant and leisure uses.
PaddingtonCentral has become recognised as an exemplar mixed-use development and Sheldon Square was judged “Best planning built project contributing to London’s future” in the 2004 London Planning Awards. The distinctive terraced amphitheatre at its heart, encircled by a wide selection of retail, food outlets, bars and restaurants, has become Paddington’s social hub, for office workers and residents alike.
Kingdom Street, a tree-lined paved pedestrianised boulevard, forms the backbone of the second phase in PaddingtonCentral’s development, which includes the 206-bedroom four star Novotel London Paddington hotel due to open autumn 2008.
PaddingtonCentral is located immediately adjacent to Paddington Station with access to the Heathrow Express and Great Western main line, as well as four Underground lines,
an enviable location in terms of connectivity and travel times for businessmen and commuters. The Government’s recent commitment to the construction of Crossrail, with a major interchange at Paddington, will further enhance Paddington’s status as one of the best connected business locations in London.