Artist Ian Wornast has been commissioned by Cube Real Estate to create a piece of artwork based on Kingston Upon Thames which form part of the new Unilever campus.
Following a thorough selection process, Ian was chosen by a local community panel and the project development team.
Ian is creating this piece with the support of project architects Darling Associates, who have compassionately assisted Ian and ActionSpace.
ActionSpace is a non-profit organisation helping learning disabled artists by giving them the facilities, such as art materials, studio space and weekly sessions to create art.
Ian said: “I was shocked. If I didn’t get the commission for Kingston, I would have been gutted. I was so pleased I did get it.”
Ian’s pieces tend to capture the vividness of London and this commission pays homage to Kingston’s rich culture, history and sense of community – like ‘going back in time’.
As someone who was not overly familiar with the area, Ian envisions this piece to be almost ‘like a map’ of his first impressions of Kingston.
This commission is particularly important to Ian as it is the longest time he has spent on a piece – it has already taken him six months to do.
Ian went on several research trips around Kingston to aid him in gathering inspiration for the commission, specifically inspired by the Kingston Museum.
He said: “I wouldn’t mind living in Kingston. It’s like a city.”
Ian has always been inspired by urban landscapes and the London Underground.
He said: “I was 19 when I left school.
“I used to have a sketchbook and I used to draw all the underground stations from A to Z. Over 200 stations.”
Ian used to go to many galleries with his brother and father, he said: “[The] London Transport Museum and those designs had a big influence on me.”
According to ActionSpace’s official website, the organisation seeks out and unlocks talent, creates opportunities and enables learning disabled artists to realise their potential by working with learning disabled artists in London.
ActionSpace has supported Ian through the application, research and commission process.
Lisa Brown, ActionSpace associate artist, worked closely with Ian through the commission process and continues to work with him through weekly group art sessions.
“If it wasn’t for Lisa, I wouldn’t have gotten this commission,” Ian said.
Independent art organisation, Beaf Arts Co further highlights Wornast’s work, with the website noting that: “His artworks encourage you to look closer and also out at the world around you.”
Image credit: ActionSpace