Paralympians celebrated as Greek Gods in Canary Wharf exhibition

Clare Newton’s Spirit of Legends, which is free to attend, depicts eight athletes as Gods and Goddesses from Ancient Greece

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David Ellis @dvh_ellis9 September 2016

Paralympians of Team GB past and present are being celebrated in a new exhibition at the Crossrail Place roof garden in Canary Wharf.

Clare Newton’s Spirit of Legends, which is free to attend and runs until Oct 2, depicts eight athletes as Gods and Goddesses from Ancient Greece.

The eight pieces will later be moved and rehung at Stoke Mandeville hospital, famed for its pioneering spinal injuries unit.

World-famous wheelchair racer Tanni Grey-Thompson is among those pictured, who commented: “I'm delighted that Clare is showing Paralympic sport and athletes in such an innovative way.

“The way that Paralympians have been shown is bold and colourful and demands your attention.”

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson's ones to watch at the Rio Paralympics

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Baroness Grey-Thompson is joined by fellow wheelchair racer Hannah Cockroft, swimmer Claire Cashmore, track and field star Sophie Hahn, sailor Helena Lucas, 10-time gold medallist equestrian Lee Pearson, wheelchair rugby player Aaron Phipps and shot-putter Vanessa Daobry.

The artist behind the exhibition, Clare Newton, said: “I want to provoke a feeling of empowerment in my pictures. Each portrait is about a special person, who has achieved such incredible goals no matter what - it is important for us to recognise their achievements, because through recognition it also empowers us, influencing the way we think about ourselves.”