List of public art in the London Borough of Islington facts for kids

This is a list of cool public artworks you can find in the London Borough of Islington. Public art means art that's out in the open for everyone to see and enjoy! It includes statues, sculptures, murals, and more.

Art in Barnsbury

Barnsbury is a lovely area in Islington. Here you can find some interesting public art pieces.

The Thornhill Road Gardens War Memorial is a special monument. It has a Celtic cross and was put up in 1920 to remember those who served. You can find it in Thornhill Road Gardens, where Thornhill Road meets Richmond Avenue. It's a Grade II listed monument, which means it's an important historical artwork.

Look out for the Huntingdon Arms sculpture at 115 Hemingford Road. This is a relief sculpture, which means it's carved into a flat surface, making it stand out. It used to be on the Huntingdon Arms pub.

At Thornhill Bridge Community Gardens, you can see the fun Animal Park mosaics. These colorful artworks were created in 2006 by artist Monica Shanta Brown. Mosaics are pictures made from small pieces of colored glass or stone.

Art in Canonbury

Canonbury is another part of Islington with its own unique art.

In the eastern part of Canonbury Square, you'll find a sculpture called Horizon. This artwork, made by David Harber in 2019, is an armillary sphere. An armillary sphere is a model of objects in the sky, like stars and planets, using rings to show their positions.

Art in Clerkenwell

Clerkenwell is a historic area, and its public art often tells stories from the past.

At the Middlesex Sessions House on Clerkenwell Green, there are relief sculptures called Justice, Mercy, and a Portrait of George III. These were made by Joseph Nollekens when the building was constructed between 1779 and 1782. They are Grade II* listed, meaning they are very important historically.

The Postal Workers' War Memorial is located at Mount Pleasant Mail Centre on Farringdon Road. This memorial, shaped like a small building (an aedicule), was put up in 1920 to honor postal workers. It has moved a few times and is now at its current spot since 2013. It's a Grade II listed artwork.

In Owens Field, near Goswell Road, you can see the sculpture called Edgerunner. This artwork was created by Paul Neagu and was officially shown to the public on July 25, 2012.

Art in Farringdon

Farringdon is a busy area, and its art includes modern pieces, especially around the train station.

At Greenhill Rents, there's a painting called Samson and Delilah. This is a copy of a famous painting by Peter Paul Rubens, made around 1609–1610. The copy was made for a special exhibition in 2007.

Inside Farringdon station, you'll find a Memorial to Edward Johnston. This mural, created by Fraser Muggeridge in 2017, features giant wooden letters. These letters are in the Johnston typeface, which was designed by Edward Johnston for the London Underground. It was unveiled on June 24, 2019.

Also at Farringdon station, there are two cool glazing motifs (designs on glass) by Simon Periton. Avalanche, from 2018, shows large diamonds that look like they are tumbling down the escalator. This design reminds people of the jewelers and goldsmiths in nearby Hatton Garden.

The other motif, Spectre, also from 2018, is based on an old drawing called Force and Energy. This design also hints at the beautiful etched glass found in old Victorian pubs.

Art in Finsbury

Finsbury has a mix of historical and modern public art.

At City, University of London's College Building, there's a frieze (a long band of sculpted decoration) called Science and Agriculture. It was made by Paul Raphael Montford around 1894–1896 and is a Grade II listed artwork.

The Finsbury War Memorial stands on Rosebery Avenue. This memorial, which includes a statue, was unveiled on August 15, 1921. It was created by Thomas Rudge and is a Grade II listed monument.

At the corner of Chiswell Street and Finsbury Pavement, you can see the sculpture called Faceted Column. Stephen Cox created this artwork in 1999.

In Finsbury Square, there's a Memorial to the Moorgate tube crash. This memorial was unveiled on July 28, 2013, to remember a sad event.

On top of Triton Court in Finsbury Square, you might spot a statue of Mercury, the Roman god of trade and messages. Triton Court also features two figures of Triton the God and four female figures on its clock tower.

Art in Finsbury Park

Finsbury Park is home to several interesting art pieces, especially around its busy station.

At Finsbury Park station, on the Victoria line platforms, look for the Crossed pistols tile motif. These ceramic tiles were designed by Tom Eckersley in 1968.

On the Piccadilly line platforms at Finsbury Park station, you'll find fun Balloon mosaics. Annabel Grey created these colorful mosaics in 1983.

Outside Finsbury Park station, there's a Sustrans Portrait Bench. This sculpture, made in 2013, shows figures of famous people like Jazzie B, Edith Garrud, and Florence Keen.

Near the entrance to Gillespie Park on Seven Sisters Road, there's a Gillespie Park triptych. This mosaic, made by the London School of Mosaic with local schools and volunteers, shows the plants and animals of the park. It was unveiled on December 2, 2013.

At the Wells Terrace entrance of Finsbury Park station, you can see the Elm Tree of Life mosaic. This artwork was created by Carrie Reichardt, Karen Francesca, and ATM, and opened on October 22, 2020.

At City North Place, near Goodwin Street, there's the CIL Mosaic. Carrie Reichardt created this mosaic, which opened in September 2021. It honors Sam Morris, who founded the Business Design Centre Group.

Art in Highbury

Highbury has several historical statues and memorials.

In Highbury Fields, you'll find the Boer War Memorial. This war memorial, which includes a statue, was created by Bertram Mackennal in 1905 and is a Grade II listed monument.

At Islington Central Library on Holloway Road, there are two statues in niches (recesses in the wall). One is a Statue of Francis Bacon, and the other is a Statue of Edmund Spenser. Both were made by Frederick Schenck in 1906 and are Grade II listed.

On the Highbury Quadrant Estate, you can see The Neighbours. This sculptural group was created by Siegfried Charoux in 1957 and is a Grade II listed artwork.

At Highbury & Islington station, on the Victoria line platforms, look for the Highbury Manor tile motif. Edward Bawden designed these ceramic tiles in 1968.

Art in Highgate

Highgate is partly in Islington. Here are some artworks you can find in the Islington part.

On Hornsey Lane, there's the St Aloysius' College War Memorial. This memorial, built after 1918, is a canopied calvary with a relief sculpture. The relief shows the Crucifixion scene. It's a Grade II listed monument.

Near the Whittington Stone on Highgate Hill, you'll find a sculpture of Dick Whittington's cat. This fun sculpture was made by Jonathan Kenworthy in 1964 and is a Grade II listed artwork.

Art in Holloway

Holloway is known for its famous football stadium and other public art.

In Elthorne Park, Upper Holloway, you can see the sculpture called Prayer of Peace. Emmanuel Taiwo Jegede created this artwork in 1986.

At Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal Football Club, there are several statues of famous football figures. These include:

• A Statue of Tony Adams, unveiled on December 9, 2011.
• A Statue of Herbert Chapman, also unveiled on December 9, 2011.
• A Statue of Thierry Henry, unveiled on December 9, 2011, created by Margot Roulleau-Gallais.
• A Statue of Dennis Bergkamp, unveiled on February 22, 2014.
• A Statue of Ken Friar, unveiled on February 28, 2014.

All these statues at the Emirates Stadium were made by MDM, except for Thierry Henry's.

At Whittington Hospital, there's a Memorial to Windrush and Commonwealth NHS nurses and midwives. This sculpture was unveiled on September 10, 2021, honoring the important contributions of these healthcare workers.

Art in Newington Green

Newington Green has a special sculpture dedicated to a famous historical figure.

In Newington Green, you'll find A Sculpture for Mary Wollstonecraft. This sculpture, created by Maggi Hambling, honors Mary Wollstonecraft, a very important writer and philosopher. It was unveiled on November 10, 2020.

Art in Pentonville

Pentonville is home to a significant war memorial.

At St Silas's Church on Risinghill Street, there's a War memorial. This memorial cross was created by Arthur George Walker in 1917 and is a Grade II listed monument.

Art in St Luke's

St Luke's features art that connects to its history and local landmarks.

At Moorfields Eye Hospital, in the King George V Extension, you can see a relief sculpture called Christ Healing the Blind Man. Eric Gill created this artwork when the building was constructed between 1933 and 1935.

Outside 250 City Road, across from City Road Basin, there's a sculptural group called Opening the Lockgate. Ian Rank-Broadley created this piece in 2020 to celebrate 200 years of the Regent's Canal.

Art in St Mary's

St Mary's, near Islington Green, has many interesting sculptures, often from old buildings.

In Battishill Street Gardens, you can find a frieze (a long sculpted band) that was originally from the Hall of Commerce. It's known as Commerce Welcoming All Nations or The Benefice of Commerce. This frieze was made by Musgrave Watson in 1842 and moved to its current spot in 1975.

At the Hen and Chickens Theatre Bar on 109 St Paul's Road, there's a Sculpture of hen with chicks. This relief sculpture dates back to 1854.

At 181 Upper Street, which used to be the Hare and Hounds pub, you can see a Sculpture of hounds chasing hare. This relief sculpture was made around 1856.

In Islington Green, there's a famous Statue of Hugh Myddelton. John Thomas created this statue in 1862. It's a Grade II listed artwork.

At 56 Upper Street, formerly the Three Wheatsheaves pub, there's a Sculpture of three wheatsheaves. This relief sculpture was created around 1864.

At 116–118 Upper Street, which used to be the Northern District Post Office, you can see Four caryatids. Caryatids are statues of female figures used as columns. These were made around 1906 and are Grade II listed.

At 75 and 75A Upper Street, which was once the entrance to the Electric Theatre cinema, there's a Female figure. This statue on a dome was made in 1908. It originally held an electric lighted globe and is a Grade II listed artwork.

In Angel Court on Owen Street, there's a Memorial to Thomas Paine. This obelisk (a tall, four-sided pillar) was created by Kevin Jordan in 1991.

Inside Angel tube station, you'll find a statue simply called Angel. Kevin Boys created this artwork in 1996.

In Anderson Square garden, there's a statue called Angel on the Green. John Roberts created this statue, which was unveiled on September 6, 1999.

At N1 Retail Plaza in The Angel, Islington, you can see two sculptures by Wolfgang Buttress and Fiona Heron. One is called Angel Wings (2003) and the other is Halo (2003).

The Islington Green War Memorial is located in Islington Green. This war memorial was put in place in 2004, replacing an older temporary one. John Maine created it.

Also in Islington Green, you can find a bronze sculpture of Street Cat Bob. Tanya Russell created this sculpture, which was unveiled on July 15, 2021.

At 66 Cross Street / 290 Upper Street, which used to be the Old Parr's Head pub, there's a Sculpture of Old Parr's head and other designs. These are relief sculptures.

Art in Shoreditch

Shoreditch has a famous statue of a historical religious leader.

At Wesley's Chapel on City Road, there's a Statue of John Wesley. John Adams-Acton created this statue in 1891. It's a Grade II listed artwork.

Images for kids

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  Thornhill Road Gardens War Memorial

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  Huntingdon Arms sculpture

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  Animal Park Mosaics

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  Horizon

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  Justice, Mercy, Portrait of George III and other motifs

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  Postal Workers' War Memorial

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  Edgerunner

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  Samson and Delilah

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  Memorial to Edward Johnston

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  Avalanche

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  Spectre

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  Science and Agriculture

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  Finsbury War Memorial

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  Memorial to the Moorgate tube crash

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  Mercury

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  Crossed pistols tile motif

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  Balloon mosaics

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  Boer War Memorial

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  Statue of Francis Bacon

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  Statue of Edmund Spenser

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  The Neighbours

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  Highbury Manor tile motif

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  St Aloysius' College War Memorial

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  Dick Whittington's cat

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  Prayer of Peace

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  Statue of Tony Adams

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  Statue of Herbert Chapman

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  Statue of Thierry Henry

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  Statue of Dennis Bergkamp

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  Statue of Ken Friar

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  War memorial at St Silas's Church

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  Christ Healing the Blind Man

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  Opening the Lockgate

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  Frieze from Hall of Commerce

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  Sculpture of hen with chicks

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  Sculpture of hounds chasing hare

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  Statue of Hugh Myddelton

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  Sculpture of three wheatsheaves

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  Four caryatids

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  Female figure

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  Memorial to Thomas Paine

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  Angel

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  Angel on the Green

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  Angel Wings

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  Halo

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  Islington Green War Memorial

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  Street Cat Bob

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  Sculpture of Old Parr's head, plus other designs

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  Statue of John Wesley