London Places

'The Lion' is a collaborative work between two Royal College of Art graduates, Hsiao-Chi Tsai from Taiwan and Kimiya Yoshikawa from Japan.

Their design was chosen as the winner of the £20,000 Wardour Street Sculpture Commission organised by Chinatown Arts Space and corporate landlords Shaftesbury PLC.

The colour and patterns of 'The Lion' is intended to represent the diversity of East Asians living and working in the UK.

David Tse Ka-shing, Creative Director of Chinatown Arts Space, said: "This is a vibrant, playful, modern interpretation of a traditional East Asian icon using colourful Perspex material, and will be a striking addition to Chinatown's increasing public artwork."

Kimiya (left) and Hsaio-Chi

The sculpture, made of jesmonite, Perspex and steel, will be in place for up to a decade and will be formally unveiled on 8th April 2009.

Chinatown Arts Space (CAS) was formed in 2003 by the Chinatown community and British East Asian artists to champion the development of East Asian art in London.