Turner Prize Winner Mark Wallinger Creates Artwork Celebrating NOcado Victory Over Polluting Depot
A powerful digital artwork marks the NOcado campaign’s four-year battle against a proposed polluting depot near a London primary school.
Turner Prize-winning artist Mark Wallinger has unveiled One Potato, Two Potato, a groundbreaking digital artwork celebrating the success of the NOcado campaign. This grassroots movement fought—and won—a four-year battle to stop Ocado from opening a polluting depot beside Yerbury Primary School in North London.
A Creative Rallying Cry Against Pollution
Wallinger’s artwork, a thought-provoking digital collage, merges imagery from two iconic Renaissance works by Pieter Bruegel the Elder. Using pieces from jigsaw puzzles, it intertwines the chaotic world of children at play from Children’s Games with the indulgent, overfed figures of The Land of Cockaigne. The juxtaposition is a striking commentary on the disparity between the carefree innocence of schoolchildren and the corporate greed threatening their well-being.
“Seeing the children playing near the proposed depot, I was struck by the timelessness of their joy,” Wallinger said. “Against that, the land of ease from Bruegel’s paintings reminded me of the corporate pursuit of profit, blind to its impact on communities.”
Art and Activism
The artwork wasn’t just symbolic—it played a practical role in the campaign. Donations as small as £1 unlocked digital squares of the piece, helping the campaign raise vital funds to cover legal costs. This innovative fundraising strategy allowed the community to secure representation in a decisive hearing before the government’s Planning Inspectorate, leading to a landmark victory.
Natasha Cox, spokesperson for NOcado, emphasized the importance of the moment: “This artwork and campaign mark the end of a battle that tested our community’s resilience. It’s a celebration of what we’ve achieved together.”
The NOcado campaign gained national attention for its resistance to Ocado’s repeated attempts to gain approval for the depot. The proposed site, in a densely populated area, would have exposed children and local residents to harmful air, noise, and light pollution 24/7. The campaign succeeded in overturning Ocado’s final appeal in May 2024, a triumph for grassroots activism and environmental justice.
NOcado’s Legacy
Wallinger’s involvement highlights the intersection of art and activism. Known for politically charged works like State Britain, his recreation of an anti-Iraq War protest at Tate Britain, Wallinger’s studio is located in Archway, making him a local ally to the campaign.
The NOcado campaign has inspired the launch of the Lorax Initiative, a national project aimed at addressing the environmental and social impact of online delivery depots, particularly in vulnerable communities.
For more information on the campaign, visit NOcado Campaign.
Elena Leo is the Arts & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.
