An all-or-nothing drive to get a community art project installed on Bermondsey’s Whites Grounds Estate has been given a major boost after receiving a £50,000 pledge from the Mayor’s office.
If successful, the Cornerstone project will see a striking sculpture being installed on the corner of Whites Grounds and Bermondsey Street, weighing approximately the same as three woolly mammoths.
Pieces of the artwork have been hand-carved by residents of the estate, with help from stonemason and artist, Austin Emery.
“Our project helps overcome the divisive challenges of gentrification and the ever increasing social gap within inner-city multi-cultural areas,” said 48-year-old Mr Emery.
“By celebrating our diversity and creating opportunity for life-long established Londoners to work alongside immigrant new-comers, we form bonds based on equality, mutual respect and positive partnerships.”
However, the sculpture – which will be from eight-and-a-half metres long and two-and-a-half metres at its tallest – will only be installed if a fundraising drive reaches £86,000 by August 12.
So far, over 180 people have backed the art project, raising over £60,000.
Announcing all the projects which received funding from Crowdfund London scheme, Mayor Khan said: “Each year Crowdfund London goes from strength to strength. I’m proud to back these 23 fantastic projects which have the potential to make a really positive impact on communities across our city.”
The Cornerstone project has also received £7,500 in funding from Southwark Council.
It comes following a similar art installation by Mr Emery on the nearby Tyers Estate in Bermondsey called The Shared.
To donate or to find out more details about The Cornerstone, search ‘Cornerstone Spacehive’.