Making lanterns for Wembley...

During Autumn 2009 the London Borough of Brent commissioned me to create an easy to use lantern template that could be made using readily available recycled objects and replicated by the public across Brent borough over the next three years leading up to the 2012 Olympics, part of which will be held at Wembley Stadium within Brent.

The design had to include a maximum surface area for decorating with glass paints or tinted varnish, be light in weight and durable and be able to bridge cultures.

I opted for a star design to be made from plastic cloudy milk bottles. The star being a symbol of hope, of champions and winners, a light in the darkness as in Diwali and a symbol present across the flags of many nations.

I worked with a number of school groups and young people to create the first set of lanterns for the Brent Town Hall and Willesden Green Library Centre Christmas trees. Over the coming three years the lantern design template will be reused with many groups with various artists creating a diverse number of interpretations and installations, culminating in an installation for Wembley Stadium during its part in the 2012 Olympics.