Chiswick's '4th Plinth' Unveiled At Successful Street Party

Turnham Green Piazza refurbishment is now completed

The artwork is unveiled.

Abundance London’s W4th Plinth Art Project was launched by artist Sir Peter Blake at the Street Party last Sunday. There was a huge turnout on a sunny September afternoon and the event was widely enjoyed by all.

Sir Peter told the crowd gathered at the new Turnham Green Piazza, that the artwork pays homage to the performers that used to appear at his favourite local theatre, the Chiswick Empire, Turnham Green, where the currently derelict Empire House now stands.

He added that the Empire Theatre was one of the main reasons he had originally wanted to live in Chiswick. Many of the world’s top stars appeared at the Chiswick Empire, which flourished between 1912 and 1959, and the artwork features many of them including Cliff Richard, Laurel & Hardy, and others.

Sir Peter is one of the best known pop artists, famous for collaging images from popular culture. His most famous works include the sleeve design for the Beatles’ album Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, the Live Aid concert poster and much more.

This work of art will change in December 2019 A new work will be chosen and will be displayed for 6 months. What should come next? You decide.

Artists and members of the public are invited to nominate the next work Any work that can be reproduced digitally in this space will be considered. An original new piece created for this specific location would be particularly welcome, though existing works can also be nominated.

Nominations for the next work will close on 15th October 2019 at 5pm. Three works will be chosen and voting for these three works will close on 15th November 2019 at 5pm. The new work will be installed in December. The dates for the next selection will also be announced at that time. To submit entries for this exciting exhibition space, copyright must be cleared by the artist or the submitter.

The 4m x 4m artwork banner will remain the property of Abundance London. Abundance London would like the opportunity to auction the banner after display, with proceeds being split 50/50 between Abundance London and the artist/copyright holder. Abundance's 50% will be used to fund the next artwork or future community projects.

Abundance has concluded the project of refurbishing the piazza with the perennial flower bed (designed by Jutta Wagner), beautiful new Woodscape benches and Councillor’s Todd’s fountain restoration.

The organisers thank locals for their support

The event was hailed as a great success with crowds of all ages visiting the stalls organised by The Cookbook Festival, Abundance’s partner in this street party,as well as huge queues for food provided by local suppliers.

Covered tables were set down the centre of the street for communal eating with music from BGM, The Derivatives, Alistair Pope, Duffy & Bird. Apple pressing, cake decorating, painting for children, and tee shirt printing (Snappy Snaps) were just some of the activities.

Children also enjoyed visiting the two vintage Green Line buses parked at the end of the street.

Writer Polly Devlin, who had just given a talk at St Michael & All Angels, came to the festival after her event and awarded the prize for Guerilla Gardening to Steve Nutt, who was also involved in the Piazza restoration.

Steve has also undertaken guerilla gardening projects outside his home on Sutton Court Road, including a patch near the railway bridge- see pic below.

Runners-up were Alan, who looks after the flower beds outside Pet Shop in Devonshire Road and Gill Harding, who looks after the beds outside Chiswick library.

In 2017 Abundance London decided to create an award for the person or group that had done most to improve or create an unofficial garden around the Chiswick area.

“Guerrilla gardening” includes tree pits, small dilapidated areas, and also gardens where the local community has asked permission from the council or landowner and taken responsibility to create something of worth – beautiful and biodiverse, that could create pleasure for passersby and maybe a tiny habitat for wildlife.

The Turnham Green Piazza project was a collaboration between Friends of Chiswick Back Common and Abundance London, and local resident Steve Nutt. The project's aim was to reclaim a neglected public space within Chiswick Back Common, and also provide an oasis of biodiversity for bees and other insects.

September 20, 2019