New billboards have been unveiled across the capital featuring thousands of London schoolchildren.
Oscar-winning film director Steve McQueen is the brains behind the project, which includes 600 billboards – with different classes of Year 3 children on them.
The project – which aims to be a visual representation of citizenship – stretches across the capital’s 33 boroughs. The portraits are set to stay up for two weeks and are being showcased on roadsides, railways and at train stations. All of the photographs will then go on display at a free exhibition at the Tate Britain, from mid-November.
Steve McQueen – whose film 12 Years A Slave won the Best Picture Oscar in 2014 – was inspired after looking at old photographs from his primary school, Little Ealing.
Alongside being an award-winning director, Steve is also a Turner Prize-winning artist. He said today: ‘The seeds of this project started 21 years ago with the birth of my first child, a milestone that put my own journey in perspective.
‘My hope is that through the billboards millions of Londoners can reflect on the past, the present and the future not only of themselves but of their city.’
He added that he was ‘very excited that this portrait of London will be seen by so many people as part of their daily life in this great city.’ Steve originally invited all of London’s Year 3 school pupils to take part, but ended up with around 76,000 children – roughly two thirds.
Education experts believe Year 3 represents a milestone in terms of development for children. This is thought to be a reason why the specific age group was selected.
Steve’s outdoor exhibition is in collaboration with Artangel – a company known for producing unexpected art in unusual places.
James Lingwood, co-director of Artangel, said: ‘Year 3 is a resounding expression of Artangel’s belief that art can be anywhere. ‘It’s a celebration of children and a question to the rest of us – what kind of future are we making for them?’
Let us know if you spot any of these billboards in your area.
