New artwork by Turner Prize winner, Jasleen Kaur

A new public artwork developed by Turner Prize winner Jasleen Kaur in collaboration with local people is set to be installed at Cygnet Square in late 2025. The installation will add to the growing number of art works around Thamesmead, which are part of Peabody’s wider cultural programme.

Was. Is. Will Be. was commissioned by five young creatives between 2022-2024. The work is inspired by members of the community who took part in cooking workshops as part of the project and shared their memories of the area and their hopes for the future.

What does the artwork look like?

The artwork features a community poem which will be etched into the ground across the main square, leading to a large weathervane by the lake edge. The weathervane displays the words ‘Horses are Here’. This is the last line of the community poem and is a celebration of the horses from the Travelling community that have grazed in Thamesmead for decades (and still do).

Some new planters on Cygnet Square, installed in Spring 2025, will also be planted with some of the herbs used in the cooking workshops.

We submitted the designs for the artwork, including some of the images here, to the London Borough of Bexley’s planning team for approval in Spring 2025.

You can read more about the artwork and those involved in it here.