Making Space is a multi-sited commission by London-based artist Jessie Brennan curated by UP Projects for the Royal Docks in Newham. Comprised of a series of large-scale artworks, Brennan’s new commission takes visitors on a journey through the historic, social, political and economic factors that have impacted this area of London and shaped its identity.
The Royal Docks, located in Newham, East London was once the largest enclosed docks in the world, as well as being the birthplace of Tate & Lyle’s first sugar cube and the site of Britain’s very first flyover. The Docks have since borne witness to the decline of the maritime industry, numerous development schemes, and an influx of tourism as London continuously expands outwards. Today, this unique waterfront is preparing for London’s largest regeneration project to date.
Through four site specific commissions, artist Jessie Brennan explored the past, present and future of this unique piece of the city.
For Victoria Dock Road tunnel, Brennan has produced an artwork titled Go The Distance with Peacock Gym. Founded in 1978, Peacock Gym is one of London's most respected community boxing gyms with former members including Frank Bruno and Lennox Lewis. Meanwhile, its' academy for young people focuses on improving mental and physical health with its ethos of “education through sport.” Brennan has transformed images from its archive into a collaged text piece that reflects the community’s history.
Custom House is Our House is installed on a two-storey wall facing Custom House station. This life-sized group portrait brings together individuals who live, work or own businesses on Freemasons Road which is soon-to-be redeveloped. The artwork has been closely developed with members of the People’s Empowerment Alliance for Custom House (PEACH) who are now working with Newham Council to consult on local regeneration. Please note that due to adverse weather conditions, Our House is Custom House has recently been damaged. We are aware of this and both UP Projects and the Royal Docks team are working hard to reinstall the artwork to its former glory. These repair works can unfortunately only take place during the summer months and once we have renewed the relevant permissions required to be in place. We therefore appreciate your patience in this matter and ask that you continue to check this project page for further updates.
Previously installed across the façade of the Royal Docks Adventure, a charitable organisation offering sporting opportunities to local people, Brennan showcased the evocative artwork, Take Your Place. Printed in large-scale neon yellow letters, the artwork was visible at a distance, from the DLR, neighbouring homes and hotels. The words ‘Take Your Place’ refer to taking one’s position in a rowing shell, influenced by Brennan’s conversations with the local sporting community and particularly London Otters, London's LGBTQI-friendly rowing club. This statement is also a call to action that invited people living in and travelling through the Royal Docks to consider who London’s regeneration is for and to engage with the future of the Docks ahead of its imminent redevelopment.
The fourth artwork in the series, The People’s Plan, installed on the pump room outside Pontoon Dock DLR, draws on a 1980’s community-led project of the same name. Supported by the GLC at the time, The People’s Plan opposed plans for London City Airport and imagined a new vision for the area, uniting the community through activism. The artwork was initially installed at Dock Road underpass where, for the first time since its original distribution, The Plan was reproduced for local communities and visitors to view.
Making Space has been commissioned by the Royal Docks Team, a joint initiative by the Mayor of London and the Mayor of Newham. This commission is produced and curated by UP Projects.
Artwork Locations
Go the distance. Site 1. Victoria Dock Rd Tunnel, E16 1HL
The People's Plan. Site 2. The Pump Room, Outside Pontoon Dock DLR, North Woolwich Rd, E16 2YJ
Custom House is Our House. Site 3. Freemasons Road, E16 3AR. Please note that due to adverse weather conditions, Our House is Custom House has recently been damaged. We are aware of this and both UP Projects and the Royal Docks team are working hard to reinstall the artwork to its former glory. These repair works can unfortunately only take place during the summer months and once we have renewed the relevant permissions required to be in place. We therefore appreciate your patience in this matter and ask that you continue to check this project page for further updates.
About Jessie Brennan
Jessie Brennan is a visual artist whose previous projects have examined public housing and the politics of regeneration. Her practice is research-led and situated, exploring relations between places and people. Brennan graduated from the Royal College of Art in 2007. She has exhibited extensively in the UK and Europe, and her work is held in public and private collections including the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. In spring 2017, the South London Gallery (SLG) invited Brennan to collaborate with residents on a project titled YOUR WORDS as part of their inaugural Open Plan residency on Pelican Estate. Recent exhibitions include: Re: development – Inside The Green Backyard, Carroll/Fletcher Onscreen, London (2017); If This Were to Be Lost, dalla Rosa Gallery, London (2016); RESIDENT, City Gallery & Museum, Peterborough (2016); Progress, The Foundling Museum, London (2014); Talents Contemporains, François Schneider Foundation, France (2014); Coup de Ville, WARP, Belgium (2013). Her authored books include Regeneration! (2015) and Re: development (2016).
About the Royal Docks
The Royal Docks has been a global centre for innovation and industry since the 1800s. Established as the largest enclosed port in the world, it facilitated the movement of hundreds of thousands of cargoes and passenger ships, spawning settlements such as Canning Town and North Woolwich. Despite heavy bombing during the Blitz, the Royal Docks remained open during The Second World War and kept Britain supplied with food. As its industry was transformed by the containerisation of cargo, the area fell into decline, resulting in high levels of unemployment and social deprivation. In recent years, public and private sector investment has led to new commercial and residential developments across the area. In June 2017, the Mayor of London and Mayor of Newham approved £314m of investment for the Royal Docks that will fund transport and public realm improvements, help to create a mixed business eco-system and support a range of cultural and community-led projects.
Royal Docks Team
The Royal Docks Team is a joint initiative from the Mayor of London and Mayor of Newham, delivering a £314 million investment programme in the area over the next five years. Together with stakeholders and the community, the team is championing positive change and good growth in the Royal Docks.
