Rachel Whiteread: creating gilded leaves and branches for the Whitechapel Gallery
10 April 2012
Since the Whitechapel Gallery, above, was built in 1901, there has been a large black rectangle over its entrance where an inspirational frieze was planned.
Now, as part of the Cultural Olympiad, Rachel Whiteread will fill the gap with her first permanent public commission in Britain, made possible by a £200,000 grant from the Art Fund.
The Turner Prize-winning artist, who lives nearby, is making casts from the building's existing features and creating gilded leaves and branches, left, which will reflect light. She said: "I hope my work will have a positive and lasting impact for the area."
Louise Jury
