List of public art in the London Borough of Hackney facts for kids
This is a list of interesting public artworks you can find in the London Borough of Hackney. Public art is art that is displayed in public places, like parks, streets, or outside buildings, for everyone to enjoy. It often tells stories about the area's history, its people, or important events.
Contents
Dalston
In Dalston, you can find a few special artworks:
The Shacklewell Green War Memorial was put up in 1920. It's a special monument that remembers people from the area who served in wars. It's located on Shacklewell Lane and is considered a Grade II listed building, meaning it's an important historical structure.
The Hackney Peace Carnival Mural is a colourful painting on a wall at 13 Dalston Lane. It was created in 1985 by Mick Jones and Ann Walker, based on an idea by Ray Walker. Murals are large artworks painted directly onto walls.
Hackney Central
Hackney Central has some unique sculptures and memorials:
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The Esther Nelson Memorial Drinking Fountain was unveiled on October 31, 1912, in St Thomas's Square. It's a drinking fountain that also serves as a memorial. This fountain is also a Grade II listed structure.
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You'll see three interesting sculptures called Custard Apple (Annonaceae), Breadfruit (Moraceae) and Soursop (Annonaceae). These were unveiled on October 1, 2021, near St Augustine's Tower on Narrow Way. They are a memorial to the Windrush generation, which refers to people who came to the UK from Caribbean countries after World War II. The sculptures show Caribbean fruits and vegetables, linking to the nearby Ridley Road Market.
Warm Shores is a set of statues located outside Hackney Town Hall. Created by Thomas J. Price, these statues were unveiled on June 23, 2022, which is Windrush Day. The two figures, a man and a woman, are based on a mix of features from 30 Hackney residents who are part of or descended from the Windrush generation.
Hackney Downs
At Hackney Downs Pavilion, you can find beautiful Mosaics created by the Hackney Mosaic Project in 2014. Mosaics are artworks made from small pieces of coloured glass, stone, or other materials.
Hackney Marshes
On Hackney Marshes, there's a sculpture called Water Jugglers. It was made by Peter Dunn in 2004.
Hackney Wick
A War memorial in the form of a crucifix can be found at St Mary of Eton. It was put in place after 1918 to remember those who died in the war.
At Mabley Green, you can see a sculpture simply called Boulder. It was created by John Frankland in 2008.
Haggerston
In the churchyard of All Saints Church, Haggerston, there is a War memorial in the shape of a cross. It was placed there around 1920 and is a Grade II listed structure.
The Haggerston Road School War Memorial is an obelisk (a tall, thin, four-sided monument) located on Stonebridge Common. It was built in 1921 to remember those from the school who served in the war. The school itself was taken down in the 1930s.
Inside Haggerston railway station, you'll find The Elliptical Switchback. This ceramic mural was made by Tod Hanson in 2010. It remembers the famous astronomer Edmond Halley, who was born in Haggerston. This was the first permanent artwork ordered by the London Overground train network.
Homerton
The Homerton War Memorial is a Celtic cross located in St Barnabas' churchyard, facing Homerton High Street. It was put up in 1919 and is a Grade II listed monument.
Hoxton
The North London Railway War Memorial is a cenotaph (a monument honouring people whose remains are elsewhere) at Hoxton railway station. It was created by Reginald Wynn Owen in 1921. It was originally at Broad Street railway station and moved twice before coming to Hoxton in 2011.
In Hoxton Market, you can see the Juggling Figure, a statue made by Simon Stringer in 1994.
Holding Hands is a sculpture by the artist Stik in Hoxton Square. It was created in 2020.
Lea Bridge
In the Middlesex Filter Beds Nature Reserve, there's a sculpture called Nature's Throne. Paula Haughney made it in 1990 using granite blocks from an old engine house.
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At Millfields, you can find the Friendship Tree. This sculpture was a team effort, created in 2008 by Joel Parkes and pupils from Southwold Primary School.
London Fields
At the southern end of London Fields park, there's a Flower Sellers mosaic sculpture. It was made by the Freeform Arts Trust in 1988 and was fixed up in 2018.
Shoreditch
A historic Drinking fountain from 1880 stands on Great Eastern Street, where Paul Street and Tabernacle Street meet. It was made by A. Nicholson and is a Grade II listed structure.
At the Museum of the Home on Kingsland Road, you'll see a Statue of Robert Geffrye. This statue was made in 1913, based on an older one from 1723 by John Nost. It's a very important historical artwork, listed as Grade I.
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The Hackney War Memorial is in the churchyard of Church of St John-at-Hackney. It's a pillar with a sculpture, created by Joseph Hermon Cawthra in 1921. It's also a Grade II listed monument.
Hitchcock's Reel is a sculpture by John Edwards from 1996, located in Shoreditch Park.
At Gainsborough Studios on Poole Street, you can find a sculpture called Master of Suspense, which is a tribute to the famous film director Alfred Hitchcock. Anthony Donaldson created it in 2001.
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On Rivington Street, under a railway bridge, there's a piece of street art called Scary. It was made by Ben Eine in 2007 and was repainted in 2019.
Another Boulder sculpture, also by John Frankland, can be found in Shoreditch Park. This one was made in 2008.
The Queensbridge Sculpture is located near Queensbridge Road and the Regent's Canal. It was created by Joel Parkes.
On Rivington Street, you might spot a stencil artwork called Don't Shoot. It was created by the artist Bambi in 2014.
At the corner of Scrutton Street and Clifton Street, there's a clock called The Restless Course. Pritchard Themis made it in 2018.
South Hackney
In the churchyard of St John of Jerusalem's Church on Lauriston Road, there's a War memorial in the form of a cross. It was unveiled on October 22, 1921, and is a Grade II listed monument.
Stoke Newington
In Abney Park Cemetery, you can find a Statue of Isaac Watts. Edward Hodges Baily created this statue in 1845, and it's a Grade II listed artwork.
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The War memorial in the churchyard of St Mary's New Church was unveiled on October 11, 1920. It's a memorial cross designed by Charles Marriott Oldrid Scott and is a Grade II listed structure.
On Stoke Newington Church Street, there's a Bust of Edgar Allan Poe, the famous writer. Ralph Perrott created this bust in 2011.
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In Clissold Park, you can discover a unique Tree sculpture.
See also
- The Towers of Hackney (1970s – 2009)
