The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) has funded a number of paintings by artist Jonathan Meuli, which uniquely capture the huge scale and ambition of the major construction underway in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The portfolio of 12 paintings, titled “Painting a New London”, not only give a view of the magnificent venues from an artist’s perspective, but illustrate the relationship between civil engineers and their environment and showcase the importance of infrastructure in our society.
"Words, Wide Night” – Meuli’s take on the main Olympic Stadium. Titles for the ICE paintings are borrowed from poems by Carol Ann Duffy
The paintings therefore feature some of the key infrastructure projects running concurrently surrounding the Olympic site - such as the East London line and Crossrail - as well as the Olympic site itself, the main stadium and the Aquatic Centre. Other major construction projects in central London such as the Heron Tower and the ‘Shard of Glass’ at London Bridge are also captured.
Jonathan Meuli, a Glasgow based artist and writer, has a keen interest in depicting and interpreting the urban landscape in new ways. He has written on art in relation to the built environment and has exhibited widely.
Meuli said: “The aim of this project was to demonstrate and celebrate the excitement of civil engineering, both as a process and a shaper of landscapes and environments. And to communicate this to two audiences – civil engineers and the general public.
“In other words the paintings had to relate to both to a professional engineer who knows how to design a roof compression truss and to someone who has never heard of a roof compression truss, but who is nonetheless awed by the construction of a skyscraper.
“Having these two distinct audiences created an interesting tension that affected the way in which the paintings developed.” He added.
The Grammar of Light” - Canary Wharf from West India Quay. Construction of the new Cross-rail station
Dr Scott Steedman, Chair of ICE’s Research and Development Enabling Fund, which sponsored the project, said: “Every large-scale human endeavour deserves to be recorded and interpreted by artists – whether by painters, writers or musicians. The transformation of London at the beginning of the third millennium is a tremendous human endeavour, and it should be recorded for our own generation and for future generations.
“This portfolio of paintings provides the basis of an interpretation of this important period in British history, while at same time increasing public recognition and awareness of the immense value of the work of ICE members and the civil engineering industry.”
Survivor” – the Olympic Aquatics centre and other parts of the Olympic site in the distance
The Research and Development Enabling Fund forms part of a portfolio of charitable activity undertaken by ICE. The Fund aims to promote the technical development of civil engineering by enabling a range of research projects (by individuals and organisations) to get underway. The fund receives its income through a voluntary donation by ICE members, separate to their subscription, and through additional donations.
For high res jpgs of the paintings within the press release, or more information about the ICE please contact:
Kate Ison, ICE Media Manager
t: 0207 6652104
e: kate.ison@ice.org.uk
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is a leading source of professional expertise in transport, water supply and treatment, flood management, waste and energy. Established in 1818, it has over 80,000 members throughout the world including over 60,000 in the UK. ICE’s vision is to place civil engineering the heart of society, delivering sustainable development through knowledge, skills and professional expertise. The ICE has long worked with the government of the day to help it to achieve its objectives, and has worked with industry to ensure that construction and civil engineering remain major contributors to the UK economy.