Public art

160 Blackfriars by Baiyu Liu

Venue: 160 Blackfriars

Commissioner: Maya Capital and Veld Capital

Selected Artist: Baiyu Liu

Funder: Maya Capital and Veld Capital

Partners: Southwark Council

Project description

In December 2023, a new public art installation was unveiled at 160 Blackfriars. The piece was created by local artist Baiyu Liu and installed by Global Street Art. Southwark Council’s Culture and Events team worked closely with Maya Capital and Veld Capital, property owners of the building, to create a brief for the project in line with the council’s Public Art Policy which encourages an inclusive and anti-racist approach to public art commissioning.

The project incorporated several of the measures outlined in the Public Art Policy, including the appointment of a Community Panel that participated in developing the artist brief, shortlisting proposals, and selecting the final design. Feedback from the eight Community Panel members emphasised the importance of this community-centric project.

“The stunning mural at 160 Blackfriars Road is an example of how local residents, artists, local authorities and developers can work together to make Southwark a brighter and more colourful place.”

“I really appreciated being involved as a local resident and understanding more about the approach to selecting the mural and the feeling that it was a collective decision.”

“[It was] great to be part of a varied team made up of members of the community, borough council representatives, artists and art managers.”

Feedback from the eight Community Panel members

Historian and writer Dr. Onyeka Nubia also sat on the panel as a public art consultant to support the commissioning process from start to finish.

“This was a great project that involved many different partners working together in an interdisciplinary way. It was a real 'community project' that the local people were able to take ownership of.”

Dr. Onyeka Nubia

The wider local community also had their input on the mural’s commissioning. In September 2023, developers Maya Capital held a public exhibition of the five shortlisted artworks at the Blackfriars Settlement. Feedback from the community, including two primary schools, was collated and informed the panel’s final selection.

Owners and developers of 160 Blackfriars, Maya Capital and Veld Capital, celebrated the role of the public art policy in the project.

“The Southwark Culture and Events team provided essential support and guidance throughout the process, alongside a dedicated community panel. Southwark’s new Public Art Policy provides a clear roadmap for incorporating public art into the public realm, and we hope this project encourages other developers/landowners to include pieces of artwork in future and existing schemes.”

Maya Capital and Veld Capital

The winning design by Baiyu Liu represents night and day, and the richly diverse heritage of Southwark. Look out for 'The Black Friar' by Edward Bainbridge - this sculpture was installed on the same wall in 1958 and the mural cleverly incorporates it.

Page last updated: 23 February 2024