Laura Wilson, Heads! Look to the Workers (2026)
V&A East Entrance Gallery, V&A East Museum

Heads! Look to the Workers (2026) is a moving sculpture honouring the makers and workers of east London past and present, it draws on my research into east London’s theatres, factories and women’s workwear to foreground histories of labour often left unseen.

Brushed stainless steel disks 3mm thick, made to the diameter of the artists body with arms outstretched, laser etched text designed with Charlie Noon, garment cuff designed Georgia Gough with buttonholes by Anthony Gouldbourne and made with inherently fire retardant theatre fabric pattern cut and fabricated by JD McDougall, theatre rigging (shackles, cabling) from Flints, electrical winch and wiring by Bailes and Light, stainless steel tubing and brackets, boxes for winch remotes & vinyl by Omni and instructions for operation and care of the sculptures.

Produced by Polly Wright , Technical aspects managed by Rosie Strickland, with advice from Brendan McMullan & Martin Campo/ Public House.

With thanks to the V&A East team for caring for and operating the work.

Photos: Rob Harris