Artist Commission Brief

The opportunity

Transform a stark and highly visible structure into a contemporary landmark that feels unmistakably Elephant & Castle: bold, layered and full of rhythm.

At a glance

• Develop a concept responding to the site and its cultural context.
• Share initial sketches and visualisations for feedback and approval.
• Produce the approved final artwork in the format required by the cladding manufacturer.

1. Context

The boxed structure sits at a key gateway into The Elephant, Get Living’s new development. Highly visible to residents, visitors and local communities arriving from a major route, it offers an opportunity to transform a stark surface into a landmark. The artwork should feel unmistakably Elephant & Castle: bold, layered and full of rhythm.

This part of South London has always thrived on cultural collisions—from the grand stage of the Coronet Theatre and the underground pulse of Corsica Studios to the salsa clubs and sound systems that echo the area’s migrant histories. The artwork should capture that sense of movement, remix and cultural energy in a way that feels universal and welcoming.

A contemporary landmark: bold yet human-scaled, rooted in The Elephant’s histories and welcoming to all.

2. Concept: Abstract soundscape

Working title: “BASSLINES OF THE ELEPHANT”

The artwork should visualise sound and rhythm—not literally, but as an atmosphere. Think of basslines rippling through colour; lines and patterns vibrating like voices in many languages; geometric stacks and flowing brushwork colliding across one shared surface.

This is about translating Elephant & Castle into movement and energy, rather than depicting nightlife directly.

Heritage anchors

• Corsica Studios: Abstract, layered and experimental forms that nod to the area’s reputation for innovation in sound and art.
• Sound-system culture: Stacked, rhythmic blocks and patterns that suggest collective energy without depicting speakers directly.
• Latin Quarter dance heritage: Curves, swirls and bursts of colour that evoke steps and spins in motion.
• Elephant spirit: Contrasting motifs and palettes colliding—a visual remix of cultures, stories and communities.

Intended impact

• A contemporary landmark that feels bold yet human-scaled.
• An artwork that brings vitality without leaning too heavily on nightclub imagery.
• A work rooted in Elephant’s histories but expressed as a timeless civic artwork for a mixed-use place.

3. Objectives and artist scope

Visual impact The artwork should command attention from afar and reward close viewing with layered detail.

Local resonance Draw inspiration from Elephant’s musical, social and cultural histories—from theatres and sound systems to dance halls.

Gateway presence Create a welcoming marker for people entering The Elephant development.

Artist scope of work

• Develop a concept in response to the site and its cultural context.
• Share initial sketches and visualisations for feedback and approval.
• Produce the approved final artwork in the format required by the cladding manufacturer.

Deliverables

• Concept drawings and colour mock-ups.
• Agreed rounds of revisions following feedback from Get Living and key stakeholders.
• Final artwork supplied as separate print-ready TIFF files for each panel.
• One overall composite image showing the complete artwork on the building.

4. Fees and indicative timeline

ARTIST DESIGN FEE: £5000 (inc VAT)

The fee covers concept development, agreed revisions and production of the final print-ready TIFF files. Materials, fabrication, printing and installation will be organised and paid for separately by Get Living.

Get Living and Cultural Transitions will retain the right to reproduce the artwork for project documentation and marketing/comms purposes.

Indicative timeline

• 01: Weeks 1–4
  Brief circulated and artist enquiries resolved.
• 02: Weeks 4–8
  Artist selection and contracting.
• 03: Weeks 8–16
  Concept development, stakeholder feedback and design approval.
• 04: Date TBC
  Production and installation managed by Get Living.

5. Technical requirements

The artwork will be digitally printed onto Equitone concrete panels by the client.

Guidelines for data preparation

• File format: TIFF file, separate TIFF artwork file for each panel
• Mode/Colour: CMYK
• Picture resolution: 300-360 DPI
• Scale: 1:1 or real size of the design
• Panel material: Equitone concrete panel
• Maximum size: 3100 × 1250 mm; panels may be cut to size
• Composite: One overall image showing the complete artwork

To see the site plans and example quality of concrete panels, see the full artist brief.

How to apply

Artists are invited to submit a proposal of no more than two pages outlining: their practice and relevant experience; and an initial sense of how they might respond to the commission.

Please include a supporting portfolio of no more than five pages (or a link to an equivalent online portfolio) with examples of recent or relevant work. Proposals and portfolios should be submitted as a single PDF where possible.

Applications should be submitted to Cultural Transitions on [email protected] by 28 September 2026 – late applications will not be accepted.

Get Living and Cultural Transitions are committed to working with artists from diverse backgrounds, and particularly welcome applications from artists with lived connections to the communities and histories represented in this commission.

If you would like to submit your application in an alternative format — for example, as a video or audio recording — we are happy to consider this by special arrangement.

Please contact us in advance at [email protected] to discuss your requirements before the deadline.

For any further queries, contact Sanaz Amidi on [email protected].