Article 25, the UK’s leading international development and disaster relief charity, brings
together a stellar line up from the worlds of architecture, art and fashion for the 10×10 Drawing
the City London exhibition and auction in Somerset House’s newly restored West Wing.
Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, fashion designer Paul Smith, artists Jake &
Dinos Chapman, design guru Sir Terence Conran and acclaimed architects Lord Foster, Dame
Zaha Hadid and David Adjaye make up some of the 100 creative talents involved this year which
sees original and existing artworks being exhibited and auctioned in aid of Article 25.
10 x 10 Drawing the City London gets its name from the grid of 100 squares laid over an area of
London, which this year is the West End. Each participant is allocated a square and donates an
artwork inspired by the buildings and public space within it, taking in famous landmarks such as
Trafalgar Square, Horse Guards Parade, the British Museum and Somerset House itself in 2012.
The resulting pieces will be displayed in an exhibition at Somerset House from 1 to 13
November. An auction by Sotheby’s of 25 of the exhibited works will follow on 14 November at
Somerset House. The remaining 75 works will run in a silent auction throughout the duration of
the exhibition with all proceeds going to Article 25.
David Adjaye, a participant in 2011 and 2012, said: “The 10×10 initiative has provided a
fascinating and diverse lens through which to see London – it is a series of unseen portraits of
the city – secret views and private interpretations of the past, present and future of our ever-
changing capital. Collectively, the work tells an evocative urban story as told by influential urban
thinkers and designers. As a project to raise funds for providing shelter for people affected by
natural disasters, it also has a powerful global resonance that unites London with other capitals
across the world.”
Works are also being donated by current RIBA President Angela Brady, London cable car
designer Chris Wilkinson, cityscape artist Ben Johnson and historic buildings expert and TV
presenter Dr Jonathan Foyle.
Article 25 uses architectural expertise to rebuild lives and transform communities in the
developing world. Named after the 25th article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
which asserts that adequate shelter and housing are fundamental to our human rights, the
charity undertakes construction projects in some of the world’s poorest countries building
much needed facilities in Burkina Faso, Haiti, Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan and
beyond.
The exhibition and auction is supported by Barratt London, ING Media and Somerset House.
Saving...