Reclaiming visual rights: public art, urban identity, and democratic space
Join us for a discussion exploring how public art and visual culture shape more inclusive and democratic urban spaces.
Reclaiming visual rights: public art, urban identity, and democratic space
24 Jun 2025, 15:00
Join this discussion at the London Design Biennale at Somerset House (Screening Room), where UCL Institute for Global Prosperity is participating with a Pavilion titled People Powered Prosperity.
This timely and thought-provoking conversation will bring together leading voices in art, design, and social justice to examine the visual politics of our cities. Drawing on their diverse experiences in public art, policy, and activism, speakers will explore how the visual public realm is shaped and often dominated by commercial forces, and how this impacts collective memory, representation, and democratic expression. The discussion will highlight how artists, communities, and cultural leaders are reclaiming public space to create more inclusive, equitable, and reflective urban environments.
This free of charge event also launches the forthcoming White Paper, Harnessing the Visual Public Realm for Community Prosperity, led by Marine Tanguy.
Access to the London Design Biennale
Following the panel and audience Q&A, attendees are invited to explore the London Design Biennale including our pavilion People Powered Prosperity. Book your ticket on the official website and use the code LDBEXHIB25 to get a 25% discount.
Sherry Dobbin
Cultural Advisor and Placemaking Advisor
Sherry is a Cultural Architect who designs cultural ecosystems that support local identity, international relevance, and new revenue streams for a sustainable future. Through cross-sector partnerships, she develops new models and infrastructures that embed creativity into urban planning and community development. From activating public spaces to supporting emerging voices, her work builds frameworks that are adaptable, inclusive, and future-facing.
Marine Tanguy
CEO, MTArt Agency
Marine Tanguy is the founder and CEO of MTArt Agency, the leading global talent agency for visual artists. A passionate advocate for visual literacy and the transformative power of public art, Marine works to integrate artistic talent into the fabric of everyday life, from urban infrastructure to global brand campaigns. She has delivered multiple TEDx Talks, been published by Penguin, and was named to Forbes' 30 Under 30 Europe in Art & Culture.
Reverend Professor Keith Magee
Senior Fellow, UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose; Member of the Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm
The Reverend Prof Keith Magee is a renowned public intellectual, theologian, and scholar of social justice. With over 30 years of experience in public policy and political affairs, his work centres on civil rights, religion, and racial equity. He has served in advisory roles for the Obama and Biden presidential campaigns and currently holds academic positions at UCL and Newcastle University. Keith is also Chair of The Guardian Foundation and has led the U.S. National Public Housing Museum.
Rayvenn Shaleigha D’Clark
Artist & Sculptor
Rayvenn Shaleigha D’Clark is a London-based sculptor and digital artist whose work challenges dominant narratives around race, history, and representation. Her public commissions, such as permanent monuments at the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park in Alabama, reimagine how we engage with memory and identity in public space. She has exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Saatchi Gallery, and the Royal College of Art.
People Powered Prosperity
UCL Institute for Global Prosperity is participating at the London Design Biennale at Somerset House from 5-29 June with a pavilion titled 'People Powered Prosperity'.
People Powered Prosperity explores the multidimensional aspects of prosperity through a citizen science research approach, highlighting how people from different localities and backgrounds can be involved in co-designing innovative pathways to improved livelihoods, secure environments, democratic voice, healthy cities and climate resilient communities.
Our new approach of working directly with trained citizens to rethink prosperity with and for communities brings new forms of knowledge creation, innovative solutions and creative tools for businesses and policymakers to tackle today's most pressing issues with improved results; allowing citizens to power the transformations we need.
The pavilion is designed by Ab Rogers, a London-based designer known for unique projects that are rich with colour and energy, while providing functionality and subtlety in design.
About Fast Forward 2030
Fast Forward 2030 UK is a London-based community of impact entrepreneurs that hosts bi-monthly events to support innovation and peer-to-peer learning for entrepreneurs committed to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We aim to inspire sustainable prosperity by bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, sustainability professionals, students, and academics.
About London Design Biennale
London Design Biennale returns to Somerset House from 5 - 29 June 2025 for its 5th edition. Featuring world-leading design, innovation, creativity and research by up to 50 exhibitors from across the globe, London Design Biennale showcases today’s designers and ideas that will change our world. The three-week international exhibition features curated installations accompanied by a programme of events, thought-leadership talks, performances and workshops. This year’s theme ‘Surface Reflections’ by Artistic Director Dr Samuel Ross MBE, explores how ideas are fuelled by both our internal experiences and external influences.
About UCL Institute for Global Prosperity
We are redesigning prosperity for the 21st century, changing the way we conceive and run our economies, and reworking our relationship with the planet. Our vision is to help build a prosperous, sustainable, global future, underpinned by the principles of fairness and justice, and allied to a realistic, long-term vision of humanity's place in the world. Find out more ►
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Ticketing
Pre-booking essential
Cost
Free
Open to
All
Availability
Yes