December 2021
NINE ELMS - ADVENT CALENDAR 2021.
Window Number 7 of 24
Title: A FOREST FOR PEACE IN THE CITY
Location: MERCHANT’S WAY New Covent Garden Market, SW8 5EL
(Pedestrian pathway linking Pascal Street & Ponton Road)
Artist: Luke Walker – with Lindsay Schuman and Griffin Primary School
Showcase Day: 7 December 2021
Wandsworth based artist Luke M Walker has worked with Griffin Primary School and local gardener Lindsay Schuman to create an installation in a specially designed ‘alcove' of the 'Buyers Walk' art installation at Merchant’s Way - the new route trough and under the railway line from Nine Elms Tube Station to the American Embassy and the Thames river front.
The project is inspired by the wonderful re-wilding of areas of playground at Griffin and St George’s schools and the celebration of the fresh produce of the New Covent Garden Market. The alcove in Buyers Walk has been turned into a small wild garden/forest using plants and accessories sourced largely from New Covent Garden Market set in front of the fabulous panoramic city scape backdrop created by the artist.
It is produced in collaboration with developer Vinci St.Modwen and the Nine Elms Arts Ministry and the display is lit with outdoor Christmas lights, with one of Luke M Walker’s urban panorama paintings blown
up as a backdrop. The trees are decorated with ornaments such as wooden/cork doves, each bearing a message or wish for peace from the students and staff of the schools.
The aim is to create a moment of peace and contemplation in this festive season on the route through the New Covent Garden Market site to and from Nine Elms station.