Ellie Reid
For more information contact:Emma Crowe
Nabil Hanafi
London Communications Agency
Middlesex House
34-42 Cleveland Street
London
W1T 4JE
t: 020 7612 8480
f: 020 7612 8481
12 August 2008 - Back
Art to help King’s Cross Central come alive
Ellie Reid appointed “site artist” for the largest development in Central London.Appointment comes through Arts Council England’s Interact Artist placement scheme.
German Gymnasium to host exhibition of works in January 2009.
A groundbreaking scheme to bring artists to work within innovative industries is coming to King’s Cross, courtesy of the Arts Council England’s “Interact” artist placement scheme.
The development at King’s Cross by Argent, LCR and DHL-Exel is the only construction project in the UK to take part in the scheme. It will provide a unique opportunity for the winning artist Ellie Reid to work for six months right at the heart of the 67 acre development, one of the most significant regeneration opportunities in Central London.
The Arts Council scheme provides inspiration for artists and industry by placing them in new work environments.
Ellie trained at the Slade School of Fine Art just across the road from King’s Cross and specialises in fabricating works from materials sourced on site. At King’s Cross she hopes to create pieces which respond to the dramatically changing area, taking materials left over from the work around the construction site and building her sculptures across the development.
Ellie was selected following a competitive pitch and the judging panel included Gill Henderson, Director of Create KX, Kate Squires, Head of Education for Camden Art Centre and representatives from Arts Council England and Argent.
Based on-site at King’s Cross at least one day a week, Ellie will have a workspace at Regeneration House, part of the Eastern Good’s Yard development which will be home of the University of Arts London in 2012, from where she will design her work as well as creating pieces of art across the site.
Ellie Reid said of her placement;
“I chose the King’s Cross site for one of my first assignments as a student at the Slade, so it’s amazing to think I am now returning to help represent the area’s transformation. It is an inspirational site and I am itching to explore The Granary some more – the space inside is simply unrivalled in London.
My work takes materials which are traditionally thought of as functional materials - cement, concrete, brick - and there are plenty of these across the site. I also hope to work in elements left over from the restoration of St Pancras International."
Anna Strongman, Development Manager at Argent said;
“The news of Ellie’s appointment is another step closer to the creation of a real artists’ quarter here at King’s Cross. With the Guardian soon to move nearby, University of the Arts London moving into The Granary and discussions ongoing with the Museum of Illustration, it’s easy to see why this was a hard fought placement. We are all very much looking forward to working with Ellie and seeing her work.”
Moira Sinclair, Executive Director, Arts Council England, London region said;
“The King's Cross development is one of the most significant regeneration opportunities in London.
The Interact programme has enabled a unique dialogue between artists and industry - allowing both worlds to learn from each other. We are delighted to be working in partnership with Argent, LCR and DHL-Exel on this project, providing a great opportunity for Ellie to develop her practice in the context of one of the largest building sites in Europe. We wish her the best of luck as she embarks on this new and exciting challenge.”
For more information contact Lara Thornton or Lara Correia, London Communications Agency, on 020 7612 8480.
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