A monumental piece of 9/11 Twin Towers steel recovered from Ground Zero has been made into a striking public artwork for Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

The 28ft-tall, four-ton artwork entitled Since 9/11 was gifted to the UK by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in 2010, on the condition that it be permanently sited in a prominent London location.

New York artist Miya Ando was commissioned by UK-based educational charity SINCE 9/11 to create the artwork, which was unveiled at its new location yesterday (Tuesday).

The steel artwork enjoyed a brief exhibition in Battersea Park in September 2011 during the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks, but it was removed barely a month later and has been seeking a permanent home ever since.

Speaking ahead of the unveiling Peter Rosengard, founder and chairman of SINCE 9/11, said: “It’s been a remarkable five-year journey to honour our promise to New York to permanently and prominently display their gift of World Trade Center steel in London.

“Along the way, we’ve created the acclaimed 9/11 Education Programme to teach students about the events, causes and consequences of 9/11, and to encourage toleration, respect and harmony between young people of all faiths, religions and races.

“Today in the Olympic Park, we honour the past and look to a better future for all our children.”

The artwork has won public support from prominent figures including London Mayor Boris Johnson, historian Simon Schama, and Lord Carey – former Archbishop of Canterbury – all of whom have been vocal in the campaign to secure a permanent home for the artwork.