New artwork installation begins in Kings Hill
30 January, 2024
Work has begun on the installation of a major new piece of public art in Kings Hill, near West Malling in Kent.
Named Slices of Peace, the artwork consists of a giant multicoloured apple, flanked by two smaller apples, and was commissioned from British-Nigerian multi-disciplinary artist and designer Yinka Ilori MBE, who was appointed as Artist in Residence in Kings Hill in 2021.
The artwork is being installed in Orchard Park, Kings Hill’s new public park, and will serve as a meeting point for the community.
The apples – made from laser cut, powder coated steel – have been constructed off site by Firecracker Works and will be anchored onto concrete plinths. The larger apple is more than 5m in diameter to accommodate people inside it, and the smaller apples are 700mm in diameter. A soundscape by artist Peter Adjaye, which was the outcome of choral workshops attended by the community, will be accessible inside the giant apple.
Artist Yinka Ilori MBE says:
This installation is inspired by the rich culture and heritage of Kent, in particular its history of apple growing. Community is at the heart of this installation, and I hope it brings a ‘slice of peace’ to those visiting, offering them a place to wander, reflect, and meditate within the park.
When commissioning the work, Kings Hill development partners Liberty Property Trust and Kent County Council (KCC) formed a cultural partnership with Turner Contemporary, a leading gallery based in Margate, and the University for the Creative Arts (UCA), one of the top creative specialist universities in the UK.
Caroline Binns, of Kings Hill developer Liberty Property Trust, says:
Public art has always been a vital part of our placemaking in Kings Hill. Over the years we have commissioned numerous sculptures for prominent sites to encourage pride and attachment to the area. As the village nears completion, Slices of Peace will be the final significant public art commission to be installed in Kings Hill, providing a lasting legacy for the community
The finished work, which is being curated by Turner Contemporary and UCA, is due to be completed in the Spring. The cultural partnership has been curated by Futurecity.
Yinka Ilori held interactive workshops for the local community as part of his residency to help inspire the creation of the artwork. The outcome of the workshops will translate into an exhibition in the Control Tower gallery produced by UCA students, coinciding with the unveiling of Slices of Peace in Spring 2024.
‘Bringing people and communities together is something I am passionate about and aspire to do through all of my work, which is why I am excited to bring 'Slices of Peace' to Kings Hill.’
Notes to Editors
For press and other media enquiries please contact: press@turnercontemporary.org | 01843 233 000
Liberty Property Trust UK Limited is part of the Prologis group of companies (NYSE:PLD).
About Prologis
Prologis, Inc. is the global leader in logistics real estate with a focus on high-barrier, high-growth markets. At September 30, 2023, the company owned or had investments in, on a wholly owned basis or through co-investment ventures, properties and development projects expected to total approximately 1.2 billion square feet (114 million square meters) in 19 countries. Prologis leases modern logistics facilities to a diverse base of approximately 6,700 customers principally across two major categories: business-to-business and retail/online fulfilment.
About Liberty Property Trust UK Ltd and Kent County Council
Liberty Property Trust UK Ltd is developing Kings Hill - www.kings-hill.com - as a rapidly growing sustainable community in line with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), ensuring economic, environmental and social progress for this and future generations. Kings Hill combines commercial, residential, educational, retail, community, sports and leisure uses within 800 acres of highly landscaped low-density parkland and aims to promote quality of life by providing a unique environment in which people can live, work, play and study. In addition to providing accommodation for SME’s, Kings Hill also attracts significant international tenants such as Rolex, Cabot Financial, Marsh and Arthur J Gallagher.
Liberty Property Trust UK and Kent County Council formed a collaborative public/private sector venture to develop Kings Hill as an exemplar mixed-use community. Kings Hill is the County’s flagship development for attracting inward investment and promoting regional economic growth.
About Yinka Ilori MBE
Yinka Ilori is a multi-disciplinary artist and designer whose bold visual language draws on his British-Nigerian heritage to convey new narratives through contemporary design. Drawing on Nigerian parables and verbal traditions, Ilori touches on a multitude of themes that resonate with a global audience. His work is underpinned by the belief that art and design should be accessible to all. Humorous, provocative and playful, his projects demonstrate how design can bring together communities and have a positive impact on society, evoking a sense of joy and optimism. Often using the city as his canvas, he reimagines spaces to encourage a sense of community and invites audiences to engage and participate in his work and its surroundings. A graduate of London Metropolitan University’s BA in Furniture and Product Design, Ilori’s work has been showcased globally through solo and group exhibitions, public commissions and set and exhibition design.
About Turner Contemporary
Turner Contemporary is one of the UK’s leading art galleries. Founded to celebrate JMW Turner’s connection to Margate in 2001, the David Chipperfield-designed gallery opened in 2011. Our work extends beyond showcasing world-class exhibitions to driving the social and economic regeneration of Margate and East Kent and transforming lives in one of the most deprived areas of the UK.
Since it opened, Turner Contemporary has welcomed over 4.1 million visits, put over £80 million back into the Kent economy, and connected with thousands of people from the local community through our world-class programme.
