Plaster Pyramids and Market Places
July 30, 2020
Ian Wale
3049 Views
Driven by and named after Article 25 of the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 25 is a humanitarian architectural charity which helps vulnerable communities around the world through design to improve health, livelihoods and resilience to disasters.
Over the previous 9 years, their annual flagship fundraising event ’10×10 London’ has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to help them carry out their incredible work on over 90 projects in 34 countries.
’10×10′ casts a grid of squares over parts of London with prominent artists, architects and designers invited to produce artwork inspired by their piece of the urban landscape. These artworks are then sold at auction.
Bar and Circle, 2016
Worlds End Estate, 2015
I have contributed to 8 of the previous 9 ’10×10′ events, creating a number of my artworks using handmade and painted plaster pyramids, each measuring 8x8x8mm. These are arranged to create a pixelated-like image inspired by a particular theme such as the Underground Roundel, the River Thames or the Olympic Rings. The artworks are designed so they change colour and clarity when viewed from different distances and angles. One side of the pyramids are all painted blue while a range of bold colours adorn the other, creating a dynamic, sculptural quality.
Stratford Rings, 2017
Previous years have covered the Isle of Dogs, the West End, London Bridge and the River Thames. However, in light of social distancing measures, ’10×10′ 2020 has departed from the grid and instead adopted the theme of London Markets.
Markets have been a major influence on the patterns of urban growth in settlements big and small around the world. Whether this be the arrangement of buildings and land uses or the impact on land values around a market hall or square or the pattern of streets leading to and from them. Their impact is testament to the value and significance they had and continue to have on our daily lives, something DLA are very familiar with through our town centre urban design and masterplanning work.
I am really interested in the movements associated with markets, whether this is the flow of people – sellers, buyers and suppliers – or the flow of the goods. It’s fascinating to think about how far the impact of a single market can spread locally, nationally and internationally.
My artwork is inspired by this and the idea of the marketplace as an intense nucleus of activity, with pulsating arteries radiating out along a hierarchical network of streets. This years’ artwork is in progress and due for delivery to Article 25 in September ready for the auction in November. More information about Article 25 and the ’10×10′ auction can be found here: https://www.article-25.org/
Pyramids in progress, 2020

Ian Wale
Associate Urban Designer
RELATED NEWS
Refurbishment of Mortimer Square, The Hub Milton Keynes
September 13, 2023
The square was in need of refurbishment to create a more usable and attractive public space, that also benefitted the business that operate out of the area.
Recruiting Planners
August 15, 2023
We are currently recruiting MRTPI chartered planners/senior planners to join our dynamic planning and masterplanning practice.
Mexborough Futures Masterplan
August 2, 2023
The City of Doncaster Council have produced the Mexborough Futures Masterplan, a comprehensive masterplan to guide future investments and address key challenges in Mexborough Town Centre.
Policy Considerations for Site Allocations
July 31, 2023
One of the main purposes of local plans is to allocate sites to deliver strategic priorities. But what is in national policy and guidance to help authorities and practitioners with this process – from identifying sites to assessing sites to selecting sites for allocation.
End of Term Report
July 21, 2023
As we reach the end of the academic summer term, we’ve taken a look back at some of our activities in helping encourage and inspire the next generation of planners and urban designers.
DLA Working Towards Planet Mark Certification
July 18, 2023
We are proud to announce that we are working with Planet Mark to measure and reduce our carbon footprint, ensuring that we build further on sustainability in our business practices.
Resolution to Grant Bluehayes Community
July 13, 2023
The new Bluehayes community will consist of 870 additional homes and is a key part of the planned growth for Cranbrook which will take it to 8,000 new homes.
Detailed Planning Permission Secured for Baytree Leeds
June 28, 2023
David Lock Associates (DLA), on behalf of our client Baytree Logistics Development Ltd, has secured detailed planning permission for the redevelopment of the former Maritime container depot in Leeds.
David Lock Awarded with Ebenezer Howard Medal
June 20, 2023
At the TCPA Parliamentary Reception yesterday evening, our founder David Lock, was presented with the Ebenezer Howard Medal which recognises the outstanding contribution of recipients to delivering the Garden City Principles.
Active Design Guidance Update Launches
May 24, 2023
The updated Active Design Guidance was released recently, drafted by DLA on behalf of our clients Sport England.