London City Airport to select East London artist for new commission that will welcome visitors to London

London City Airport is supporting East London’s creative talent to commission a new, site-specific installation to welcome millions of visitors arriving through the International Arrivals corridor each year.

Aiming to create an impactful first impression, the installation will encapsulate the spirit of London as an international centre of art and culture and celebrate the airport as a key gateway into this cosmopolitan metropolis.

The commission, titled Destination London, will be curated by The Line, East London’s public art walk running between the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and The O2. It follows the waterways and the line of the Meridian – connecting Greenwich, Tower Hamlets and Newham – and features an evolving programme of art installations, events and landmarks. In 2020, The Line will celebrate its fifth anniversary with several new installations and commissions, of which Destination London is the first to be announced.

A panel comprising local stakeholders and The Line’s Co-Founder and Director, Megan Piper, will select the artist from among East London’s diverse community of artistic talent.

Robert Sinclair, CEO of London City Airport, said:

“With London’s doors firmly open for international visitors, we want to welcome passengers to our airport, and our city, with an amazing first impression that they won’t forget. Working in partnership with The Line, we think we have an opportunity to create a welcome unlike any other airport, using our walls as a blank canvas to evoke the unique elements of East London.”
 
“I am excited to see the concepts and revealing the commissioned artist whose work will showcase the very best of the thriving capital to arriving visitors, travelling for both business and leisure.”

The commission, which is scheduled to open in spring 2020, is supported by The Mayor of London and Royal Docks Team and supports the #LondonIsOpen campaign.

Megan Piper, Co-Founder and Director of The Line, said:

“We are delighted to have this opportunity to curate a new commission at London City Airport.
 
“This project is an important moment for The Line as we prepare to celebrate our fifth anniversary in 2020 with a number of new projects and partnerships. Destination London will offer an East London-based artist the opportunity to create an ambitious new work, welcoming visitors to London and highlighting its vibrancy and openness.”