Finding the real in love, self, connections: New installation GET REAL joins Canary Wharf’s free public art collection this Pride month – 25.06.24

• Artist Henry Gibbs unveils latest work during Pride month, transforming Canary Wharf’s Wren Landing with a thought-provoking installation
• The artwork joins the UK’s largest free-to-visit outdoor public art collection located at Canary Wharf
•  Inspired by cult classic Get Real (1998), Henry’s mural is designed to depict moments of queer friendships, intimacies, and conceptions of the self

Canary Wharf’s Wren Landing has been transformed with a new queer art installation, unveiled to the public today.

Launching during Pride month and aiming to turn stereotypical ideas of LGBTQ+ artwork and culture on its head, the new black and silver installation is the latest work developed by artist Henry Gibbs, entitled GET REAL.

With his recognisable technique of hand painted halftone imagery, Henry utilises light, surface, and space to represent thoughts of self-imaging, queer gesture and social perception in the everyday.

The mural sees light reflecting from the base layer of the piece that replicates a digital glow, day or night, whilst a black halftone design is overlayed consisting of repetitively painted dots. The pixel-like dots are intended to emphasise the recurrence of imagery and profiling through social media.

Henry’s GET REAL is routed in the history of masked identities, inspired by Simon Shore’s film Get Real (1998) – a coming-of-age romantic-comedy drama about a gay teen growing up in rural Britain in the 1990s – and Jacques Lacan’s psychoanalytic theory of the Real. Both allude to queer narratives, often self-navigated, with less of an emphasis on the illusion of ‘coming out’, but to accessing real world experiences, a Real self and Real connections.

The installation is CWG’s latest collaboration with Pictorum Gallery, joining over 100 other works to form the UK’s largest free-to-visit, outdoor, public art collection.

When considering the interpretation of queer artwork, artist Henry Gibbs said: “My practice often embraces the exploration of intricate narratives of queer identity and thought. Not only has the journey of creating this permanent installation in collaboration with CWG and Pictorum Gallery been an insightful journey for me, I hope that it entices passersby to reflect on the connections, self-discoveries and emotional bonds that define themselves and our communities. This work is not just a visual representation, but a permanent testament to the enduring and evolving nature of queer inhabitance in London.”

Lowri Harries, Associate Curator, Public Art at Canary Wharf Group said: “We’re delighted to be working with Henry to unveil his latest work as part of our permanent public art collection. GET REAL is something new for us this year, turning feelings of Pride month on its head and provoking thought and meaning from within. Our collection is designed to be as accessible as possible, and a vital part of this is through selecting artworks and creating spaces that truly represent our varied audiences.”

Those looking to spend a day out visiting Canary Wharf can enjoy a host of free-to-visit activities and attractions, including a 9-hole minigolf course by creative duo Craig & Karl, colourful ping pong tables, a free to explore children’s art collection, the return of Summer Screens and Film Club in Canada Square Park, and 16.5 acres of open space and 5km of waterside boardwalks to explore. With over 70 cafes, bars and restaurants to choose from including Hawksmoor, newly opened Roe and WatchHouse Coffee, visits to the neighborhood won’t be short of tasty treats to tuck into.