London Places

An art student who won an online poll has seen a giant print of one of his pieces hung from the side of a building in central London.

Alex Knell, who is studying for an MA in Fine Arts at the Royal Academy Schools, submitted his digital print We Are Our Future to an online competition organised by property developer Hines. His work was chosen by voters and is now displayed on the side of One Grafton Street, a building that is currently being renovated by Hines.

The work is titled We Are Our Future.

Mr Knell said that while he has created large artworks before, it still felt great to see his work go on display in London as he approaches the end of his last year at the Royal Academy.

“I’ve never seen my work on a scale that massive before. I would like to use billboards all the time but practical constraints, like money, stop you doing it. I hope that people enjoy it,” he said.

‘Wonderful opportunity’

The massive canvas covering the building measures 19m by 43m and also features 12 smaller artworks by current students and graduates of the Royal Academy.

Professor Maurice Cockrill, the keeper of the Royal Academy of Arts, said the competition had been a “wonderful opportunity for our students to
engage directly with the public”.

Work by 12 other students is also on display.

“The sheer size of the urban gallery is a fantastic platform to show the wider public the creative originality produced by students at the Royal Academy Schools,” he said.

Street level

Passers-by reacted positively to the artwork. David Mccullagh, from Kensington, said: “I think it’s great. It is much nicer than [sites without artwork].”

Aileen Taylor, from Little Venice, works in a nearby office and said that it was nice to see the construction site get a new look.

“I think it is a fantastic idea, it brightens the day,” she said. 

Artwork is set to be a permanent feature at One Grafton Street. Hines plans to commission a piece of art that will be applied to the facade of the building and reflect its Mayfair location.

The firm is also planning future events in conjunction with cultural organisations.