Alexandra Palace marks 150th anniversary with mosaic

By The People: A 150 Lifetimes sought to capture individual memories and experiences connected to the iconic north London location.

Unveiled on May 23, this piece features more than 2,000 selfies and photographs combined by visual artist Helen Marshall to recreate an original engraving of the Palace created just over 150 years ago by prolific London printmaker J. T. Wood.

The artwork was unveiled on May 23 (Image: Andy Paradise)

The artwork, measuring 35sq m, uses photos at key moments of people's lives such as first dates, marriage proposals and babies taking their first steps.

Also included are images from the Alexandra Palace archive depicting historic moments from its 150-year existence.

Artist Helen Marshall and Ally Pally CEO Emma Dagnes (Image: Andy Paradise)

As well as sharing their pictures, participants shared their stories of Alexandra Palace.

Susan Ellam is among the people whose photos are included. She said: "My grandfather Howard Talbot was a composer of musical comedies and some of his compositions, including The Arcadians and The Mousme, were played in Alexandra Palace theatre in the 1920s.

"I am now a volunteer in the same theatre and I am loving it."

Each photo has a story connected to it (Image: Andy Paradise)

Another, Christopher Avis, said: "I worked at Ally Pally in late 1979 for two weeks work experience for the BBC special effects department for the Open University, I was 20 at the time. I made mathematical models and some planets, as seen in the photo."

Susan works at the theatre and shared her picture for the mosaic (Image: Susan Ellam)

Tara Brady said: "Our wedding got cancelled twice because of covid so third time lucky we had a very small wedding with six of us in Hendon.

Tara said Ally Pally was a godsend for her and her husband during the pandemic (Image: Tara Brady)

"We then went up to Ally Pally for some wedding photos.

"Walking round Alexandra Palace during lockdown was a godsend for us."

And Toby Winter said: "My grandfather Alan Winter was a code-breaker at Bletchley Park during the war. A lover of cryptic crosswords, he was invited to a competition at Alexandra Palace where he won a prize and afterwards was recruited to Bletchley."

Visual artist Helen Marshall said: "There is nothing more exciting than being given the opportunity to create a site-specific work on such a grand scale and in such a setting.

"I am grateful to everyone who submitted their pictures, as without their contribution the art would not exist."

Ben grew up near Ally Pally. He said: 'We regularly walk up to take in the view at the front of the palace. This selfie is with my wife, parents and one week old daughter - her first trip to Ally Pally!' (Image: Ben)

CEO of Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust, Emma Dagnes, said: "Alexandra Palace was built as the ‘People’s Palace’ so there’s no better way to mark our 150th anniversary than celebrating the people who make Ally Pally what it is today.

"It’s astonishing to see the breadth and depth of people’s memories, and the sense of belonging our corner of London has provided over the past century and a half."

Those involved in the project celebrated the unveiling of the mosaic (Image: Andy Paradise)

In addition to the unveiling at the Palace, By the People is displayed online, and also saw similar projects carried out in local schools, libraries, and care homes.

The project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, aims to celebrate the conclusion of Alexandra Palace’s 150th year.

For more information, visit the Alexandra Palace website.