Saatchi Gallery artist adds signature neon flourish to Surrey Street

An artist whose work has featured in the Saatchi gallery has added her signature neon flourish to Croydon’s Surrey Street.

Lauren Baker’s quotation design was installed on Surrey Street footbridge yesterday evening. The quote, which appears handwritten and reads ‘A simple hello could lead to a million things’, aims to bring a positive message to the area while providing a fun, alternative way to light the area under the pedestrian bridge.

The neon sign is the first of a series of public art pieces to be installed on Surrey Street and comes after the council, and the architects working on proposals for Surrey Street, Sam Jacob Studio, partnered with Rise Gallery on the project, who identified the artist and her proposed design.

The installation is part of the council’s £1.1m renovation of the 700-year-old Surrey Street market, which aims to enhance its environment through a number of improvements, including the installation of more public art and lighting, making the carriageway level and altering the market’s design to make it more pedestrian-friendly, creating a vibrant, flexible marketspace.

Local people and businesses will have their third opportunity to contribute to the upgrade plans for Surrey Street at a public event being held next week.

The feedback session at Croydon Conference Centre on Thursday 23 February between 6pm and 8pm, will invite the local community to put forward their own ideas on the ‘softer’ improvements to the street, which also include plans to install seating, architectural lighting and improved ways to help visitors locate the market from the town centre.

Councillor Mark Watson, cabinet member for economy and jobs

“The new piece of street art is the first in a series of a public art installations that will be help Surrey Street become a truly vibrant and diverse space.

“There are many improvements planned for Surrey Street Market and we are keen to hear the public’s views. We also want them to share their ideas on how we can further enhance the environment and I’d encourage the market traders and the wider community to attend next week’s event and help shape the Surrey Street Market of the future.”

If you are unable to attend the feedback event but would like to share your views, please email Councillor Watson directly at mark.watson@croydon.gov.uk

2017-02-16T17:14:54+00:00 February 16th, 2017|Recent news, Regeneration|