"Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody." In the spirit of Jane
“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” In the spirit of Jane Jacobs’ timeless words on the collective creation of cities, numerous artists throughout history have wielded their creative prowess to influence societal perceptions and redefine urban narratives. From the brushstrokes of Frida Kahlo, whose vivid canvases mirrored the complexity of gender and identity, to the thought-provoking installations of Christo and Jeanne-Claude, who challenged the conventional boundaries of urban landscapes, these visionaries have left an indelible mark on the tapestry of human experience. As we navigated the sprawling metropolis of ‘Elegant Warriors of Justice,’ a transformative art installation in London’s Hampstead Police Station, we embarked on a journey inspired by these artistic trailblazers, exploring the intersections of gender, sustainability, and urban life.
The Elegant Warrior was a collaborative endeavour, orchestrated by two artists Zoya Alina Currimbhoy, an established Pakistani artist, and Elyssa Skyes-Smith, an Australian artist. Presented by the Koppel Project, the artists creatively aimed to immerse themselves in a thought-provoking yet indulging exploration of deeply-rooted societal issues through the lens of art.
There are seldom moments when artists risk covering such a vast and diverse topic in an installation, however, Zoya and Elyssa masterfully and skillfully transformed their notions and thoughts into a large-scale installation that was meticulously crafted on the ceiling of a former holding cell. Through a skillful blend of 2D and 3D elements, the artists conjure a portrayal of a cold, dense, and overwhelmingly expansive concrete jungle. One was engulfed in the sprawling metropolis, a testament to the artists’ adept manipulation of perspective, rendering the viewing experience both enthralling and surreal. Choosing a police station to install the works could be a question that might have come to spectators’ minds, but the answer lay within the installation and the engagement of the viewers; exaggerated visual elements. Within the confines of the exhibition, the cityscape metamorphosed through a vibrant tapestry of public art, which injected fresh aesthetics, values, and opportunities into the urban fabric.
Inquiring to one of the artists about why both the artists wanted to represent the work through an installation. Currimbhoy responded that this idea was driven by the intention to visually transform a specific space, namely the holding cell at London’s Hampstead Police Station. “Opting for a large-scale ceiling installation offered an exciting and immersive way to achieve this transformation. We believed that this approach would provide viewers with a holistic experience, allowing them to engage with the artwork on multiple levels and encouraging a deeper connection to the themes explored in the show.” Currimbhoy responded.
She further shed light upon the idea of choosing a police station to host the show and her reply was quite interesting. ” Putting up the show at London’s Hampstead Police Station was a deliberate choice to challenge traditional perceptions of power and authority. By transforming a space associated with law enforcement into an art gallery, we aimed to initiate conversations about justice, equality, and societal norms. It was an unconventional setting that added layers of meaning to the artwork, encouraging viewers to reflect on the concept of justice in unexpected places.”
The show was an intriguing guide and a thought-provoking concept.
Even the project’s title, “Elegant Warriors of Justice,” conveys more than one might initially grasp without a visual representation as the title. This leads to the realization of the dynamic installation, which takes the form as innovative public artworks. These include sculptures, murals, open-air cinemas, graffiti, and integrated designs, with each piece embodying a seamless fusion of innovation and consciousness.
The installation transcended the conventional boundaries of an art exhibition, evolving into a harmonious symphony where each artwork interacted, weaving a tapestry of interconnected realms. The divine feminine figures, brought to life through artistic expression, became not just subjects but active participants, contributing to an evolving story. The installation unfolded as an artwork within an artwork, a story within a story—an immersive experience inviting the audience to engage with the profound tapestry of feminine wisdom. Delving into themes intricately linked to climate justice, each artwork interwoven with feminine wisdom became a vessel carrying collective concerns and hopes surrounding our planet’s sustainability. The artists, through their feminine perspectives, ignited a dialogue not just about the environment but also about our shared responsibility to protect and nurture the world we inhabit. As the various artworks within the installation interacted, they extended an invitation to the viewer—a contemplative journey to reflect on the interconnectedness of life and the role of art in shaping a sustainable future. The exhibition, like a living entity, beckoned the audience to participate in the ongoing narrative, urging them to become co-creators in the story of interconnected realms.
An exemplary public artwork within this installation, inspired by Demeter, the Ancient Greek goddess of the harvest presented a figurative sculpture crafted from burnt wood—a poignant symbol of nature’s destruction through forest fires. The sculpture was perched on a building overlooking traffic, and on a nearby structure, observers could see shadows of fetuses and sprouts of leafy growth, signaling nature’s rebirth and fostering a profound link to the ecological considerations surrounding life and death. The deliberate placement of the sculpture within the urban environment challenged the conventional boundaries of art, inviting the audience to engage with the artwork’s intricate layers of meaning. This public artwork, with its deeply emotional elements, transcended the personal and
universal. It served as a testament to the artists’ ability to merge ancient mythological themes with contemporary ecological concerns. The intentional use of burnt wood as a medium not only paid homage to Demeter’s association with the harvest but also raised awareness about the fragility of our ecosystems. This is something that is missing in Pakistan’s art scene; artworks that are for the people to engage and understand the significance of public art. Opposite this public art feature was another that resembled an open-air cinema, paying tribute to Persephone, Queen of the Underworld, and the goddess of spring growth. The cinema screen displayed two images in an accordion-style presentation, seamlessly transitioning into each other based on the viewer’s perspective. The two images showcased two distinct facets of Persephone: one portraying her grief over the changing seasons and the loss of vegetation, and the other embracing her power as the Queen of the Underworld. This dual narrative served as a reflection of the ever-shifting urban landscape, mirroring our perpetual struggle to balance growth with preservation. The metaphorical resonance extended beyond Persephone’s myth, inviting contemplation on the dichotomies inherent in the human experience – the coexistence of pain and loss with innate power and resilience. The open-air cinema format itself became a poignant choice, bridging the realms of ancient mythology and contemporary storytelling.
Zoya Alina Currimbhoy and Elyssa Sykes Smith, the artists, masterfully intertwined classical themes with modern mediums, creating an immersive experience that engaged both intellect and emotion. In the broader context of the cityscape, this public artwork became a metaphor for the human struggle to reconcile opposing forces within and around us.
Each public artwork within the city emerged as a testament to meticulous craftsmanship, thoughtfully designed to nurture and uplift its citizens. Nestled at the bustling heart of an intersection, a serene wishing well took its place. Inspired by Sedna, the Inuit goddess of the sea, this well transcended mere functionality. Beyond providing clean drinking water to those in transit, it assumed a dual role, becoming a symbolic haven for contemplation and wishful musings. Purposefully situated amidst the urban tumult, the well became a temporal sanctuary, inviting individuals to pause and commune with nature amid the concrete jungle. It served as a poignant reminder of the boundless sea, beckoning each passerby on a metaphorical odyssey of introspection. In a striking departure from conventional boundaries, other public artworks within the installation featured an elaborate and towering tree, surpassing the height of skyscrapers. Its towering presence, exceeding that of man-made structures, served as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of the natural world amidst urban development.
Graffiti, presented uniquely and distinctively, emerged as another prominent public art feature within the city. Composed in the form of poetic and loosely connected words, it transformed the cold, concrete surfaces into a canvas of emotions and ideas, seamlessly woven into multiple buildings like delicate fabric stitching. The concept of weaving introduced subtle femininity into this urban artwork, traditionally associated with textile arts and often linked with women’s creativity and ingenuity. In the context of the exhibition, this feminine touch added layers of meaning, suggesting a nurturing and harmonious integration of art into the urban fabric. In essence, the graffiti presented in ‘Elegant Warriors of Justice’ redefined urban expression, moving beyond expected rebelliousness to offer a nuanced and sophisticated form of art that harmonized with the city’s surroundings.
Collectively, these public artworks challenged the confines of urban development and imagination, urging the viewer to see the city not only as a functional space but as a canvas for creativity and inspiration. The maquettes of a fabricated city served as a testament to the artists’ vision, illustrating the exciting potential of public art to transform the urban experience.
Zoya and Elyssa, orchestrators of this captivating array of artworks, extended an invitation to reimagine our relationship with the urban environment. Embedded within these creations was an aspiration that implored us to liberate ourselves from the confines of traditional urban spaces and embrace the seamless integration of nature, art, and human expression. ‘Elegant Warriors of Justice’ emerged as a radiant beacon of inspiration, encouraging us to envision a city where the boundless realms of imagination reigned supreme.
The art exhibition experienced dynamic augmentation through a series of enthralling artist discussions and immersive creative workshops. In the culminating week of the exhibition, the artists curated three free distinctive and engaging creative workshops— a drawing session, a spatial exploration, and a performance workshop. Each workshop, meticulously designed, served not only to educate participants about the myriad creative techniques employed by the artists but also to delve into the profound thematic depths explored within the installation. The drawing workshop sparked a dialogue centered on city planning, culminating in the collective creation of a vast drawing illustrating a bustling and vibrant cityscape. The spatial workshop delved deeply into the significance of public art and its profound influence on the community, fostering practical exercises and discussions while facilitating the construction of models representing public artworks. The performance workshop, rooted in movement and collective storytelling, encouraged participants to express themselves through physicality and narrative, harnessing the expressive power of embodiment. Thoughtfully open to the public, these workshops catalyzed community engagement, igniting a belief in the expansive potential of creativity and imagination.
‘Elegant Warriors of Justice’ transcended the realm of a mere art installation; it emerged as a catalyst for profound transformation. Seamlessly blending mythology with contemporary concerns, the artists traverse the geographical role of art in fostering ecological consciousness.
This exhibition stood as a testament to the transformative power of art in reshaping our urban landscapes and societal perceptions. As Jane Jacobs eloquently stated, cities are created by everybody, and this collaborative endeavor by Zoya Alina Currimbhoy and Elyssa Skyes-Smith at London’s Hampstead Police Station exemplifies the collective effort needed to reimagine our urban spaces. The exhibition’s diverse array of public artworks, inspired by ancient mythologies and intertwined with contemporary issues, served as a vibrant tapestry of interconnected realms. As we reflect on the intricate layers of meaning within each installation, we are reminded of the delicate balance between nature, art, and human expression.
In the words of Rainer Maria Rilke, “The work of art is a scream of freedom.” ‘Elegant Warriors of Justice’ echoed this sentiment, inviting us to break free from conventional boundaries and envision a city where creativity and imagination reign supreme. Through thought-provoking installations, the exhibition sparked conversations about justice, equality, and societal norms, challenging us to confront these issues in unexpected places. In the grand tapestry of urban life, each public artwork became a vessel carrying collective concerns and hopes, urging us to protect and nurture the world we inhabit.
In this dynamic cityscape of Elegant Warriors, where art transcends mere aesthetics, we find ourselves on a contemplative journey. The exhibition became a living entity, beckoning us to become co-creators in the ongoing narrative of interconnected realms. As we immersed ourselves in this transformative experience, we are reminded that the boundless realms of imagination can indeed shape a sustainable and harmonious future for our cities. ‘Elegant Warriors of Justice’ stood as a radiant beacon, inspiring us to embrace the seamless integration of neglected expression in the urban fabric, where the work of art becomes a powerful scream of freedom echoing through the corridors of societal transformation boundaries and contributing to a broader dialogue on sustainability and the pivotal role of art in fostering ecological consciousness.
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