Art Team from UK’s Crossrail Project Goes to UAE Cap in Hand

Crossrail, a major railway project designed to serve London and its environs, is seeking Gulf investment for its £14.8bn ($24.4bn) public art program, the FT reported.

A Crossrail team made the trip to Art Dubai, following a visit to Qatar last November. Part-owned by Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, Canary Wharf Group has already pledged £500,000 ($824,715) to the artwork that will grace Canary Wharf’s revamped station.

“With so many Gulf businesses and wealthy individuals partly based in London or having their European headquarters there, Crossrail is hoping for further donations, strengthening the cultural and economic ties between London and the Arab world,” Crossrail’s art program manager Christina Andersen told the FT.

The permanent artworks could cost up to £1 million ($1.65 million) each and are meant to last the 150 year-long lifespan planned for the stations. The Corporation of London will grant £3.5 million ($5.77 million) to the art program if it can be matched by private funding.

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