Architecture isn鈥檛 the only thing bringing tourists to Canary Wharf. Find out about art on site, and meet the woman who commissions it
The Big Blue, Speaking of the River, Parting of the Waves and Man with Arms Open 鈥� not phrases that would trip off the tongue of most developers. But Canary Wharf Group is not your average developer. Its Docklands estate is graced by more than 40 pieces of art, including the four named above. There are artworks in open spaces, building lobbies and shopping malls 鈥� there鈥檚 so much art that the area is becoming quite a tourist attraction; there are even maps to guide visitors around the sights.

The woman behind Canary Wharf鈥檚 creative scene is public art consultant Theresa Bergne, who believes art is fundamental to the area鈥檚 sense of identity. 鈥淧eople come to look at the architecture, the gardens, the art,鈥� Bergne says. 鈥淭hey respond really well to the atmosphere. There鈥檚 an overwhelmingly positive response to the public spaces here.鈥�

Bergne has been selecting art for the

estate since 1997. She is keen to work with tenants as well, to get the best out of the artists they commission. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important that the art is in keeping with their art collection,鈥� she says. 鈥淐hoosing the artist is always an interesting and positive process.鈥�

One recent addition to her portfolio is an Alexander Beleschenko glasswork, which stands by

I like 25 North Colonnade. It鈥檚 a really unfussy, modern, clean building and the proportions of the windows to the rooms is just fantastic

Theresa Bergne, public art consultant

an underground entrance to the Citigroup tower. How was it chosen?

鈥淲e identify the location first. In this case it was a corridor that links two buildings,鈥� Bergne explains. 鈥淲e decided we wanted a work in glass, so we researched artists who work in glass. Then we talked to Citigroup and the architect, drew up a brief and invited artists to submit a proposal. The art committee assessed which was the most successful use of the opportunity that space presents.鈥�

Canary Wharf Group鈥檚 effort was recognised at last year鈥檚 Art & Work Awards (initiated by International Art Consultants and Art for Offices) with its first special award for outstanding contribution to art in the working environment.