Revealed on London City Island stands “After the Dance”. This stunning sculpture by Colin Spofforth marks the area as east London’s new cultural heart. Sean Mulryan, Ballymore’s founder, and his wife Bernardine gifted the piece to the community. The unveiling on June 28, 2023, was quite the event.
Lord Sebastian Coe spoke of Mulryan’s contribution to East London’s regeneration. He highlighted Mulryan’s financial support for the 2012 Olympics. The English National Ballet also performed short vignettes. Adding to the vibrant atmosphere, Tinie Tempah, patron of The Woods Studios, performed his single “Leader”.
“After the Dance” now stands as the focal point of Hopewell Square. It sits opposite the English National Ballet’s headquarters. The headquarters are aptly named the “Mulryan Centre for Dance”. Mulryan envisioned a community where people can live, thrive, and create. This sculpture completes that vision.
Mulryan strongly believes in the importance of arts and culture. He feels it contributes to people’s sense of well-being and quality of life. Therefore, he has ensured that art is at the heart of all his developments.
Colin Spofforth designed “After the Dance”. It is made of stainless steel. The sculpture measures 600 cm in height. The exact width and depth are not documented. You’ll notice an inscription. It reads: “After The Dance / By Colin Spofforth / Commissioned and gifted to London City Island by / Sean and Bernardine Mulryan 2023”.
Other cultural partners have made London City Island their home. These include arebyte Studios. They provide affordable workspaces for over 150 artists. You will also find the London Lighthouse Gallery. It is a photography studio for emerging artists. Recording studios “The Woods” also reside here. They offer music and podcast facilities. Lulu Liu’s creative fashion studio uses 3D technology. Trinity Art Gallery offers a platform for both upcoming and established artists.
Mulryan also launched a new art fund initiative with Ian Felton. Felton is an artist and curator at Trinity Art Gallery. The fund supports up-and-coming artists. It provides both financial and marketing support. The aim is to create a sustainable model that supports artists. It also enables new collections over many years.
Mulryan is passionate about giving artists a platform. He wants to invest in them and create revenue streams. This will allow them to further their careers. It will also expose their talent to new audiences.
The unveiling of “After the Dance” and the launch of the fund highlight art’s importance here. London City Island is now a center for culture and the arts in London. Once undeveloped, it now houses over 4,000 residents. It is surrounded by restaurants, shops, and outdoor spaces.