Supporting the artists of the future as they help tackle climate change

This autumn, we partnered with The Grantham Institute at Imperial College London, to help raise awareness of climate change through the work of four budding young artists – including one whose work is now on display in Nine Elms.

The initiative  was part of the biennial Grantham Climate Art Prize which invited young people, who will be most affected by climate change, to create bold designs for outdoor public murals focused on the solutions needed to tackle the climate crisis.

The work of four budding young artists has gone on display in locations across the UK this month – including in Nine Elms, close to Ballymore’s Embassy Gardens neighbourhood.

The 2023 Grantham Climate Art Prize celebrates young artists, whose work was judged by a stellar panel of representatives from The Grantham Institute, programme sponsors- Octopus Energy and the Turner Contemporary.   

Among the winners was 11-year-old Samuel Web whose depiction of a kingfisher flying from a trashed and polluted world to a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future has been painted as a mural in Coventry. Janet Aloa, age 17 from Rochdale created a piece entitled Use Your Voice aimed at empowering young people to speak up to those in power and demand action to tackle climate change. It is now painted as a mural in West Norwood, in South London, while 19-year-old Ria Hoondle’s Team Green – a depiction of people working to preserve nature and rectify damage caused to our environment, is now on display in Glasgow. 

It is however a runner up Aarayn Prabhaker’s Colours for the Climate piece that caught the attention of Ballymore. The striking artwork – an additional project for 2023 which was sponsored by Ballymore – embraces the Grantham Climate Art Prize theme, showing a range of fruit and vegetables with protest placards calling for people to eat more plant-based foods and less meat and dairy in order that we can live more sustainably. Aaryan’s design has now been transformed into a 19.5-metre long mural close to Embassy Gardens. It has been brought to life by artists Karla Rosales Garcia and Roger Rigol. And speaking of it Karla said. “This is such an important project raising awareness of climate issues in a unique and creative way. It was a challenging project taking 2 weeks to complete, but we prepared thoroughly and I’m really excited by the result, plus the reaction from passersby has been incredible - cars stop and beep in appreciation and people come and ask questions about it - so it’s doing what it’s supposed to do - encourage conversation and raise awareness.”   

Speaking of his original design, 12-year-old Aaryan told us he had spent a lot of time designing the mural, working on it for “hours at a time over a three-week period”, adding: “I was inspired by my sister, Alekhya who is 10 and an excellent artist. I wanted to raise awareness with my art to help the world tackle global warming and cut down on our carbon footprint, I can’t wait to see it in real life now it’s finished, it will be really exciting.”

Commenting on her son’s achievement, Aaryan’s mum Shalini Varma said: “Aaryan has always been very creative and especially loves sketches, portraits and abstract art so he was incredibly keen to create this piece. He spent such a long time over the summer designing the mural I was overwhelmed with pride and joy when I received the email telling us Ballymore had chosen it.”

Concluded Linsey Wynton Grantham Climate Art Prize Project Manager at Imperial College London: “We are delighted to have partnered with Ballymore, with their strong sustainability credentials and shared vision for a better future. Not only have Ballymore sponsored this striking mural, but an exhibition highlighting our popular ‘Nine things you can do about climate change’ campaign illustrated by artwork from winners, runners up and shortlisted entries to this year’s art prize.

“Such a broad mix of people will pass the mural and exhibition each day – from business people, to politicians, to residents – we’re giving them a bold reminder about climate change and some beautiful pieces of art to call their own.”