Spaces to places – the power of public art in communities
Public art is more than ‘filling a space’, it is a conversation staged in the open, transforming spaces into places.
Unlike the sequestered environment of a gallery or museum, public spaces are democratic arenas: streets, plazas, transit hubs, waterfronts, and parks. Art placed here is subject to climate, time, accident, and most importantly, the interpretation of passers-by. It interrupts a commute, reframes a familiar corner, or challenges a collective memory. In each case, the art redefines a specific space, improves wayfinding, and the way we utilise it.
When new developments intersect with established communities, they can disrupt the familiar rhythms of daily life. An example being Peninsula Gardens at the Millennium Retail Park in Greenwich, where the proposed public realm will partially replace the Ikea car park, transforming its long-standing function into a zero-carbon landscape that promotes sustainable mobility, inviting playful use for people of all ages.
This transformation supports the Mayor of London’s ‘Good Growth by Design’ (GGbD) programme, advancing social inclusion through the integration of cultural facilities into the built environment. Within this mixed-use scheme, bold red sculptures and flooring are juxtaposed with the background of Ikea’s iconic blue-and-yellow branding. The use of primary colours brings a sense of clarity and simplicity, highlighting change, whilst equally suggesting continuity.
Another project that strategically employs colour to reinforce community life is the award-winning Renaissance development, which transformed the once-neglected Lewisham Town Centre estate. At its heart is Razzle Dazzle, a striking façade by local artist Phil Coy, composed of 1,400 coloured glass panels illuminated by LEDs. Curated with Futurecity, these lights pulse in sync with Lewisham’s urban soundscape, creating a dynamic landmark that both aids wayfinding and enriches the character of the public realm.
Public art has the capacity to unite communities, yet equally sparking division, particularly when spaces typically recognised as safe, familiar, and inclusive, are disrupted and create barriers. As Jan Gehl notes, our sense of belonging grows from the overlooked rhythms of daily life: sitting, walking, socialising.
This idea is reflected in Shaun Leane’s bronze-cast leaves on the façade of 21 Young Street. Created in collaboration with Futurecity, the project aimed from the outset to establish a visual connection between the street and the landscaped courtyard at the heart of the development. Flowing from Kensington Square to the high street and drawing the gaze of passersby, this work is also sampled in the V&A exhibition. The challenge is how public art can embed itself in these everyday rituals, enriching rather than competing with them.
At its best, public art serves as a form of storytelling. Reminiscent of this is the upcoming mixed-use development at Campbell Park in Milton Keynes, which draws on references to strengthen its cultural connection to the increasing thriving local area. In an up-and-coming area that invites welcoming public spaces to foster engagement and attract residents from diverse backgrounds, the addition of strikingly bold seating and sculptural artworks offers a vital opportunity to seamlessly build connections within the existing and new communities.
When art is co-created with communities, emerging from local voices, shared struggles, and collective hopes, it becomes less an object and more a living dialogue. In a time when public spaces themselves are increasingly commodified, surveilled, or privatised, public art resists by insisting on presence, imagination, and play. It is a reminder that our cities are not only systems of infrastructure but also landscapes to be curated and orchestrated to suit the shared spaces of everyday life. Public art in shared spaces is both fragile and resilient. It is fragile because it is shaped by community memories, political contexts, and shifting cultural trends; yet it is resilient, as once experienced, it leaves a lasting imprint on how we remember and relate to a place.
Major new developments thrive when communities are engaged. Public art sparks participation, builds ownership, and helps new projects blend naturally into their context.
Written by Kate Brewer-Yung, Urban Designer