Londoners invited to contribute selfies towards Ally Pally artwork

Londoners have been invited to contribute to photos towards a new permanent, interactive artwork depicting Alexandra Palace.

Selfies, portrait images or ‘favourite photos’ of the park and palace, will be turned into an artwork by artist Helen Marshall, founder of the People’s Picture – a series of mosaics created using public contributions.

The piece is set to be titled By the People: 150 Lifetimes, and will be unveiled in 2024. Commissioned to tie in with Alexandra Palace’s 150th anniversary, the mosaic will explore themes of heritage, identity and place.

Emma Dagnes, Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust CEO, said: “This is such an exciting project. The Palace was built as the ‘People’s Palace’, so it is fitting that in our 150th year we have the chance to celebrate the peoples’ stories of Ally Pally. We are hugely grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for their support and to be working with Helen Marshall, who has displayed stunning work all over the world.

“It is your experience of the palace that we want to celebrate. It could be seeing live music here, learning to ice skate or simply finding a place that feels special to you and your friends. We know people who have met their partners for the first time here, been proposed to or seen their children take their first steps. Whatever Ally Pally means to you, we want to hear your stories. And we want thousands of people to become part of this lasting celebration of the Park, Palace, our community and all who journey here.”

Artist Helen Marshall said: “It is indeed a rare event as an artist to be invited to create an artwork for such an impressive location, an icon with such an evocative legacy. As a regular guest to the area I know how the project is a match made in heaven for the local community, who will be able to share not only their present and past memories but their hopes for the future. We will co-create an enormous dreamscape made up of your photos and stories capturing the true ‘spirit’ of the place we all love. I am curious and intrigued, ready to be emotionally moved by the photos that will be submitted and I will do my best to include each and every one of your important contributions however small, funny, sad – combined they all make one picture and story. Bring it on!”

To find out more visit: thepeoplespicture.com/alexandra-palace-150/