A plane crazy artist has created a special print of London City Airport to mark its transfer to new ownership and a record breaking year for the busy flight hub.
Gerry Buxton took more than 500 photographs and spent hours on the runway, watching planes taxiing and taking off, before painstakingly tracing and highlighting key elements from just nine images and five colours to create a single print.
The artwork, which includes the Canary Wharf skyline, will go on display at the North Woolwich-based airport terminal later this month while every member of staff will also receive a copy of the limited edition print.
Artist Gerry, originally from Edinburgh, moved to London in 2004. He lives in Hackney and works out of a studio in Woolwich, selling his work online and at a stall in Spitalfields Market.
The 40-year-old, known for using planes and bold colours in his artwork, said the commission had been a “real privilege”.
“Since moving to London I have been fascinated by the number and the frequency of planes flying overhead and they have become a recurring motif in my work,” he said.
“I leapt at the opportunity to be able to photograph the planes and the airport from the runway and to begin to build an image I feel captures the life and movement of a typical day at the airport.
“I wanted to create a bold and vibrant print that embodies the thrill of taking off to new destinations.”
London City Airport, which last year welcomed a record 4.3 million passengers through its gates, now serves nearly 50 destinations across Europe and the USA.
It first opened in 1987 and was bought by consortium of Canadian pension funds for £2billion in February after it was put on sale by previous owners Global Infrastructure Partners, who own Gatwick and Edinburgh airports.
Aiport boss Declan Collier said: “With London City Airport at the heart of the regeneration and growth of east London, it’s apt that we’ve commissioned Gerry Buxton, a local creative talent, to produce this memorable artwork.
“With our new owners now in place and a record breaking year under our belt, we’re looking to add colour to our plans to continually improve the only airport actually in London, including further expansion.”
Find out more about Gerry Buxton by clicking here. To book flights from London City Airport click here.
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