A colourful panoramic artwork created by London-based artist Kelly Anna has been unveiled next to Paddington Station, wrapping 150 metres around Paddington Square, a new working, shopping and dining quarter centred around a light-filled, crystalline building designed by international architecture practice Renzo Piano Building Workshop that will appear to float above a new public piazza when it completes in 2022.
The hoarding artwork – titled ‘Nurture Nature’ – marks the start of a new chapter for the area in what will become (COVID19 permitting) a super-connected, workspace, shopping and dining quarter with a focus on innovation and wellbeing.
The mural-style artwork has been designed by Kelly Anna to reflect the future of Paddington as a welcoming gateway to the capital, including references to the area’s green and blue spaces such as the Great Union Canal and Hyde Park and figuratively conveying the super-connected spirit of the future Paddington Square. The piece centres around six interlinked figures illustrated in Kelly Anna’s signature silhouette style. The figures are continuously repeated around the site, graphically drawn to express a sense of optimism and power in their stances and direction of travel, looking upwards and to the future.
Kelly Anna titled the work ‘Nurture Nature’ to depict the idea of harmoniously living between the modern architectural world of the built environment and respecting nature that exists around it. Each figure appears to move between portals, as if exploring uncharted places bringing fruits and plants with them from around the world, intended to represent London’s inviting nature to an international audience and Paddington’s position as a globally connected gateway into the city.
“I am thrilled to have been commissioned to create an artwork for Paddington Square and am so excited to see my work blown up to full scale. A hoarding is a great canvas for any artist, bringing a sense of life, colour and energy into the city. I hope that passers-by in Paddington will feel energized and uplifted, I think we all need that right now.”
Kelly Anna
Kelly Anna’s work is composed from a vibrant colour palette which binds together fluid lines and strong graphic shapes, often influenced by artists Matisse and Hockney, while she also credits Greek mythology and ancient Greek vases as a starting point for her designs. For ‘Nurture Nature’ Kelly Anna also took inspiration from the natural greenery that will be planted throughout Paddington Square as well as the inclusive nature of the future place, which will become a destination to meet, collaborate, and be inspired.
Situated at the entrance to Paddington Station, a once grand arrivals point into London for many coming from the west of England as well as international visitors from Heathrow, and in recent years a site designated for revitalisation, the colourful artwork signals the start of upcoming change for the area with the development of Paddington Square.
Commissioned by developer Sellar, on behalf of Great Western Developments Ltd., with design and architecture magazine Dezeen, the hoarding artwork – titled ‘Nurture Nature’ – marks the start of a new chapter for the area in what will become a super-connected, workspace, shopping and dining quarter with a focus on innovation and wellbeing. @paddingtonsquare
About the Artist
Kelly Anna is a freelance artist and print designer. Her work stands out thanks to its empowering messages — implicit in style, and explicit in her recognisably witty scrawlings. Kelly started her career as a fashion illustrator before moving into the world of print design for footwear and apparel. An impressive roster of world-class talent has worn Kelly’s prints, from Beyonce and Cara Delevingne to Foals and London Grammar, amongst many others. Since working in print, Kelly Anna has been splashing her style all over the world.
A colourful panoramic artwork created by London-based artist Kelly Anna has been unveiled next to Paddington Station, wrapping 150 metres around Paddington Square, a new working, shopping and dining quarter centred around a light-filled, crystalline building designed by international architecture practice Renzo Piano Building Workshop that will appear to float above a new public piazza when it completes in 2022. @kellyannalondon
