We have worked on this three-stage project between 2017-21. Osiers Road is the final development in this strategic Thames riverside regeneration area located between Wandsworth Park and Wandsworth Bridge, to the north of Wandsworth Town Centre. A number of public artworks have been commissioned in the area and Osiers Road needed to bring forward high quality place-specific commissions to enhance the public realm and involve local communities in the process.

Working with the developer Hollybrook, the design team and Wandsworth Council, we produced the initial public art vision for the scheme in 2018. This outlined a series of opportunities for public art which included a large-scale temporary hoarding artwork to improve the street scene during construction and permanent integrated artworks within the public realm which would be playful and reflect the site’s rich river and natural heritage.

Following planning approval and onward sale of the scheme to Peabody, we worked up a more detailed delivery plan for the public art commissions. This was produced to enable us to commission an artist and to discharge our client’s S106 obligation with Wandsworth Council. We worked closely with the council’s cultural team to agree public art proposals and the detailed commissioning process.

In summer 2020, our remit was extended to deliver the artist commissions. We established a steering group comprising the client Hollybrook, development partner Peabody, project landscape architect Fabrik and Wandsworth Council.

We developed a detailed artists brief setting out all relevant context about the scheme, area, heritage influences, project constraints and budget. The brief was sent to a shortlist of contemporary artists we identified as being suitable to deliver the projects, some with substantial experience and some for whom the project would enable them to develop their public practice. Artists were invited to submit a short expression of interest to illustrate their ability to meet the challenges of the brief.

We led steering group interviews with artists who best met the criteria and appointed Simon Periton. An inception meeting with the client and design team took place to introduce Simon more to the scheme and allowed for discussion.

“Hollybrook is delighted that despite the pandemic, it’s been possible to work very closely with local young people to create such a vibrant artwork for our hoarding.”

Jonathon Broscombe, Development Director
Hollybrook Homes

Initially, we have focused on delivering a temporary 27m hoarding on Osiers Road to bring colour and life to the street during the scheme’s construction.

We worked closely with Wandsworth Council to connect with a local primary school, pupils of which live in the Riverside Quarter area. Through digital workshops, two Yr5 classes of 9/10 year olds undertook creative tasks to explore the local heritage of the local Thames and Wandle rivers. They were shown techniques including paper-cutting and weaving that refer to the earlier growing of osiers (willow) in the area, that were cut and woven into baskets used for catching eels.

Their works were integrated into a cohesive collaborative artwork, framed by Simon’s cut out basket weave design, bringing together a colourful series of heritage inspired images and poetry. Entitled Anguilla Anguilla, (European eels) which migrate to lay eggs in the Sargasso Sea before returning to spawn and die, the artwork reflects the migration of people to and from London, and the importance of the natural environment over time and for our wellbeing today, emphasised by the Covid-19 pandemic. Passers-by are invited to share their favourite parts of the artwork via social media.

“We are overjoyed at the end result. We are really pleased that we had the opportunity to work with a professional artist, as projects like this are invaluable to the children.”

Yr 5 Teachers
Brandlehow Primary School

We will project manage the production of permanent public artworks by Simon Periton during 2021, that will be inspired by the local area and form part of the new public square at Osiers Road. The client is keen that artworks encourage footfall through this new square which will provide a new planted pedestrian route and enhance the public realm through bringing colour, heritage influences and help to build a sense of identity for the area.

“It was rewarding to deliver the hoarding artwork with artist Simon Periton, and keep the project moving during Covid-19. The collaborative nature of the design development with local young people gave them a creative focus during lockdown. The artwork’s colour and vibrancy gives an instant uplift to the street.”

Susie Gray, Cultural Associate
Dallas-Pierce-Quintero

We will work with Simon Periton and the design team to see that proposals are developed, approved, fabricated and installed on site and will be long lasting and robust.

Simon Periton is represented by Sadie Coles HQ, London and this is his first hoarding artwork. His work encompasses painting, sculpture and installation and recent commissions include permanent public artworks for Crossrail and the University of Oxford.

Osiers Road, Wandsworth, London
2018-ongoing
Hollybrook Homes in association with Peabody & Wandsworth Council