Brookfield Properties’ Summer Art Trail
// Sponsored by Brookfield Properties
Over the years, working in The City has often seemed synonymous with extremely long hours and having no fun – a real daily grind. A kind of rush rush rush, head down and no time for lunch vibe. However, more recently there have been some big changes in the Square Mile and Brookfield Properties seem to be blazing a trail to change the way we view and interact with spaces in the City of London.
Brookfield Properties are one of London’s largest commercial developers and landlords. They bring their urban indoor and outdoor spaces to life through art and culture, with the aim of connecting people and creating memorable experiences, which allow for reflection on contemporary life.
They work with emerging and contemporary artists, who challenge conventional thinking and offer us a fresh perspective on life, so there is always lots to think about, to talk about and reflect upon. But why do they do all of this, you might ask? They believe in the unique ability of arts and culture to transform spaces, bring people together and create conditions for positive mental wellbeing – they have been investing in the arts for over 30 years and know all too well, that art and interactive spaces foster strong community and important conversation. People who work in the spaces feel valued and this leads to work being all the more enjoyable!
I recently visited their 2022 Summer arts programme (running until the end of September) which takes place across London’s Square Mile and champions a diverse group of London-based artists. The artworks themselves span themes of pride and queer existence, dynamics within Black communities, mental health, performance and playfulness.
It’s easy to walk between the spaces and Brookfield Properties have created a London Art Trail Map, which you can download here, which is the one I followed. The art trail is also perfect to explore with children, if you are looking for activities during the Summer holidays! There is also a special Kids’ Art Trail Map and activity sheets for download here.
I loved exploring the art trail and making all the discoveries as I ventured along and honestly, it was exactly what I needed after a couple of weeks of Go Go Go… I could feel my brain relax as I took in the various spaces and slowed myself down. It was just so lovely to be wandering about outside in the city, strolling past landmarks (Hullo Gherkin! Hiya, Leadenhall Market!) and bumping into these unique pieces of art. It felt good for the soul. And it energised me too. Research shows us that exposure to art, social activity and community have tremendous effects in boosting our mental wellbeing, so it’s very special that this art trail exists in one of the busiest and most highly-pressurised work areas of London.
But let me tell you more about it all…
The first piece I saw was ‘Parade!’ at Principal Place, by multidisciplinary artist and designer, Anna Lomax.
“The oversized gloss colourful forms represent the gems of the city, juxtaposed with the brushed aluminium dominos reflecting the landscape of the city. The materials create unexpected reflections, visual trickery, and illusions. The installation is somewhere to explore, reflect, relax and shelter; a place to remember why the city is such a great place to be.” -Anna Lomax
I loved this piece – it was so vibrant and full of energy. I can imagine bringing Izzy to see it too and she’d have so much fun playing and interacting with it – the sunshine bounced off its colours and shiny surfaces and really uplifted my spirits. It sits in the center of Principal Place, which has a couple of wonderful coffee shops and plenty of space to sit outside and relax and reflect. It was the perfect beginning to the trail. Oh and on Thursday evenings (5-7pm) until the end of August, there are Summer Sounds DJ sessions there as well – was quite sad to miss that!
‘HIVE’ at Citypoint 
I continued on, past ‘In Anticipation’ by James Burke and ‘HIVE’ at Citypoint, to ‘Theatrical’ and ‘Botanical’, by Christian Ovonlen, at 99 Bishopsgate and Aldgate Tower.
It is clear to see why Christian Ovonlen this year’s recipient of the Brookfield Properties Craft Award, one of the most significant craft prizes in the UK, for his Ballets Russes series which takes inspiration from theatre productions of the 19th and 20th Century. The Award recognises an artist who significantly contributes to the story of contemporary craft and making in the UK. The inaugural award in 2020 was won by Matt Smith, with Anna Ray winning in 2021.
‘Theatrical’ – Christian Ovonlen 
He has worked with pastel and pencil, to create some absolutely stunning artworks, printed onto hand-dyed silks. His process begins with research, then hand-drawn studies and then finally, he translates it to textile design and hand-crafted print techniques.
Christian is a member of Intoart, the South London-based collective of artists and designers with learning disabilities. Both the Botanical and Theatrical exhibitions are a delight and a beautifully calm chapter of the trail. I loved them and the silk hangings and prints look fabulous in their locations.
I passed the marble sculpture ‘MISS’ by Emma Louise Moore, ‘NESTS’ by Victor Seaward that sees birds nests imagined as phantasmagorical fruits, Anton Alvarez’s colouful clay columns called ‘The Remnants’ and found my way to the photography installation by two young South London-based photographers, Aisha Seriki and Latoya Okuneye – ‘Our Lives’, at 30 Fenchurch Street, which I found incredibly powerful.
Latoya Okuneye is a conceptual photographer and multifaceted creative, whose work is based around intentional visual storytelling. In this exhibition she is celebrating and highlighting the different facets of black youths in London. She aims to document the stories of underrepresented groups of people, exploring themes of self-development, self-expression, identity, and generational healing.
Aisha Seriki specialises in portrait and fashion photography. She is Nigerian and her family emigrated from Southeast Asia to South London when she was 8… and that is where she has lived ever since. Her photography addresses blackness, gender, migration, class and is inspired by both imagination and experience.
Brookfield Properties are committed to giving artists – especially emerging artists – a platform to showcase their work, build recognition across a wider audience, and support them financially, and I’m so very inspired by what they do and the opportunities they are creating for these artists, those they have supported in the past and future artists, whose names we do not yet know.
‘Botanical’ – Christian Ovonlen
The whole experience for me was wonderful. Each piece was very special and seemed to be in the most perfect spot. It was a total pleasure to gently stroll the streets of London and engage with all the various pieces of art…and marvel at how lucky I am that I can do this in my city. For free.
And how lucky am I that I get to tell you all about it so you can do it too.
