Ruth Ewan commissioned to create new public artworks for Dagenham Green
Renowned contemporary artist Ruth Ewan has been commissioned to create a series of public artworks on the site of Ford’s former stamping plant at Dagenham Green.
Published: 18/06/2025
The commissions are being delivered by Peabody and its development partner The Hill Group in collaboration with UP Projects, one of the UK’s leading public art organisations specialising in socially engaged public art. The artworks will form the start of a heritage trail celebrating the area’s rich industrial and riparian heritage, tracing how it evolved from ancient Thames-side activity to a hub of modern manufacturing.
Dagenham’s Ford plant is a key component of London’s industrial story, not only for its automotive legacy but as the setting of the 1968 and 1984 sewing machinists’ strikes - landmark moments in the journey towards equal pay. The first of Ewan’s commissions will respond to the courage and determination of the women at the heart of that struggle, ensuring their story continues to inspire future generations. She will involve communities in the development to the artwork, inviting local women amongst others to be part of the creative process. Details on how to get involved will be announced soon.
Ewan’s work spans installations, performance, writing, and print. Her work addresses ideas of power and questions representations of time, rebellion and repression. She is known for her thoughtful, place-sensitive approach and has shown work at Tate Britain, the National Gallery, the New Museum in New York, and the São Paulo Biennial. Her public art collaborations include Artangel, New York’s High Line, and the Folkestone Triennial. She was chosen from a shortlist of three artists based on the quality of her past work and her dedication to feminist and radical histories.
“It’s an honour to be part of a project that recognises the importance of Dagenham’s social history - especially the incredible women who stood up for fair pay and equal working rights,” said Ruth.
“My aim is to create new works that convey this remarkable history and speak of its continued relevance to the present. I’m really looking forward to getting to know local people and working with them to shape the project together.”
Dagenham Green Phase 1 is a joint venture between Dagenham Green Limited (part of the Peabody Group) and The Hill Group. In total, the Dagenham Green masterplan will deliver more than 3,500 new homes - with 50 percent affordable - as well as green spaces, play areas and vital community infrastructure. Central to the vision is a commitment to honour the area’s rich social history, particularly the role of local women in the fight for equality in the 1960s and 1980s.
James McMylor, Managing Director for Development in London North at Peabody, said: “Dagenham Green is about more than new homes - it’s about creating a place with a strong sense of identity and belonging. This series of artworks will honour the spirit of those who made Dagenham what it is today, especially the women whose courage helped change the world of work. We’re pleased to be working with Ruth and UP Projects to bring this vision to life in a way that really involves and reflects the community.”
Moira Lascelles, Executive Director at UP Projects, said: “UP Projects is pleased to be working with Ruth Ewan in Dagenham Green to create artworks that respond and reveal heritage narratives that still have significance today. As an artist, Ruth has the ability to invite people to learn and question what our role is within society. Taking a process-driven approach at Dagenham Green will enable local communities to help shape her artworks that will soon become embedded within their everyday life.”
Rebecca Littler, Group Sales and Marketing Director at The Hill Group, added: “We’re delighted to see Ruth Ewan appointed as the artist for this richly historic site in East London. We look forward to seeing her vision come to life – Ruth’s public art will honour the past, while creating a legacy for the future that embodies Dagenham’s strong community spirit. This landmark new neighbourhood will draw on the best of local history and heritage while serving as a showcase for progressive homebuilding and placemaking.”