Londoners are invited to submit their selfies for a giant mosaic celebrating North London's 'people's palace.'
Artist Helen Marshall, who has previously created an artwork of the late Queen made up of thousands of individual portraits, is asking folk to send in their pictures, inspired by their memories and connections to Alexandra Palace.
They will be turned into a mural that will go on permanent display in the East Court of the Muswell Hill landmark. Paid for by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, By the People: 150 Lifetimes will mark 150 years since Ally Pally opened as a 'People's Palace' of popular entertainment.
Marshall, whose work is displayed across the world including the Kennedy Space Centre and National Memorial Arboretum, will explore themes of heritage, identity and place in the mural, which will be unveiled next year.
Emma Dagnes, CEO of Ally Pally's charitable trust, said the artwork would celebrate "your experience of the Palace" be it seeing a live gig, learning to ice skate or "simply finding a place that feels special to you."
“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 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 and our community."
Marshall said: “It is a rare event to be invited to create an artwork for such an impressive location, an icon with such an evocative legacy. As a regular visitor 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 ready to be emotionally moved by the photos and will do my best to include every one of your important contributions however small, funny, sad - combined they all make one picture and story.”
By the People will also be displayed online, with the chance to explore the collected stories in the portraits. Forthcoming projects in schools, libraries and care homes will encourage local participation.
To take part, send a selfie, portrait picture of you, a friend or family member, or a favourite photo of the Park and Palace, to thepeoplespicture.com/alexandra-palace-150 together with a short explanation of your Ally Pally story. The process takes three minutes and a few clicks, and Helen will use your picture along with thousands of others, to construct her final work.
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