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Since 9/11

Find out more about this exciting artwork

‘Since 9/11’ is a unique and historic piece of art made from World Trade Center steel, donated to London by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The steel was recovered from the devastation of Ground Zero following the terrorist attacks on New York on 11th September 2001, which resulted in the deaths of 2977 people

It is the beacon for the SINCE 9/11 Education Programme; teaching young people about the events, causes and consequences of 9/11 in an attempt to ensure that such an atrocity can never occur again. The programme teaches young people toleration and understanding between all faiths and religions .

The artwork was created for the UK charity SINCE 9/11 by New York Artist Miya Ando, and in form is nearly exactly as recovered following the attacks: only the spandrel panel has been polished to reflect the artist’s vision of hope for a better future.

2000 pieces of WTC steel were recovered and stored in Hangar 17 at JFK airport, New York, between 2002 and 2010, when they were released to towns and cities across the US and abroad in time for the tenth anniversary of 9/11 in 2011.

London is the only European capital to receive this honour.

The artwork was originally brought by sea from NY to the UK in 2011 for the tenth anniversary of 9/11, when it was temporarily erected for 4 weeks in Battersea Park. In March 2015, it found a new permanent home in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park when unveiled by Mayor of London Boris Johnson in the presence of US Ambassador Matthew Barzun.

The artwork is 28 feet high and weighs 4 tonnes.

Artist Statement

‘Creating a public work of art from the World Trade Centre steel is an incredible honour.

My idea was to sand and re-finish part of the steel to reveal within the material a polished, light- reflecting surface to create a meditative environment on the steel plate. I have left the steel surface on the beams in its natural state. The steel remaining in this unchanged form, thereby presents the material in a pure and honest manner.

It is my hope that by standing upright the fallen steel columns, I may evoke a quiet yet strong message of transcendence, and the role of education in the growth of hope from tragedy. It was my hope that this sculpture will stand as a beacon for the educational programme” – Miya Ando