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Public Art

Ryan Gander Art Commission

Ryan Gander OBE RA was commissioned in 2021 to create a landmark public artwork for Elephant & Castle. He began by collaborating with the South London Gallery in Peckham and Year 4 pupils from three local primary schools to develop this new work. A series of workshops with the schools took place, during which they explored new histories, possibilities and place making on a personal, local and global level. The aim of the project is to generate positive stories for young people, and encourage them to reflect the diversity and energy of their own place and future.

  • A primary school child wearing a red sweatshirt facing away from the camera and leaning across a table, talking to artist Ryan Gander who is wearing a black cap, glasses and a face mask.
  • Primary school children wearing red sweatshirts sitting on the floor colouring in pieces of paper.
  • A child wearing a blue sweatshirt sitting at a table colouring in a picture.
  • Three young children sitting around a table with artist Ryan Gander, with a football/basketball art piece in the centre.
  • Three children wearing a red school uniform laughing with Ryan Gander at a table. Ryan Gander is facing away from the camera and is wearing a red and black tartan cap.
  • A girl wearing a white polo shirt playing with clay sitting at a table.

Elmer the Patchwork Elephant

Elmer remains one of the most iconic and widely read children’s book series of all time, selling over 10 million copies worldwide since it was first published by Andersen Press in 1989. Written and illustrated by celebrated children’s author and artist David McKee, the Elmer books have been translated into more than 60 languages and now new books, toys and clothing add to the world of Elmer the Patchwork Elephant.

David McKee was born in Devon and studied at Plymouth Art College. In the early part of his career, McKee regularly drew and sold humorous drawings to magazines and newspapers such as The Times Educational Supplement, Punch and the Reader’s Digest. David McKee has written and illustrated over 50 picture books for Andersen Press and has penned a number of children’s classics including King Rollo, Mr Benn, Not Now Bernard and Elmer the Patchwork Elephant. He was named ‘Illustrator of the Year’ at the Bookseller British Book Awards in 2020. David McKee loves to paint and now lives in the South of France but regularly visits London.

Patchwork Elmer

Elmer at the Elephant

In 2019, to celebrate Elmer the Elephant's 30th birthday, developer Lendlease joined forces with event company Wild in Art, publishers Andersen Press, and some very talented artists and local community groups to create Elmer at the Elephant - a special trail of community-designed sculptures that celebrate diversity and inclusivity.

For World Book Day 2022, David McKee's beloved children's character is back at Elephant Park as the London Elmer trail has been relaunched for all to enjoy. Explore the streets and green spaces in the area to find the 10 Elmer statues that have been designed in collaboration with the local community groups in Elephant & Castle.