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Barnet Legends is a unique series of ceramic artworks created by designer and architect Edward Crooks. This public art project honours the diverse and influential figures who have shaped the borough of Barnet and beyond, from unsung local heroes to globally recognised icons. Installed on prominent public buildings across the borough, each artwork in the Barnet Legends series spotlights an individual whose contributions have enriched the world through music, film, design, sport, activism and more. The project seeks to celebrate the creativity, innovation and diversity that define Barnet’s rich history.

The Barnet Legends series includes tributes to both well-known figures, such as Amy Winehouse, George Michael and Harry Beck, and lesser-known figures, such as the 17th-century traveller Celia Fiennes and Daulat Jiwa, founder of the Barnet Asian Women’s Association. One notable piece commemorates Muriel Matters, reflecting Barnet’s historical impact on aviation through her famous airship flight while also celebrating her activism as she dropped Suffragette literature from the sky. 

Drawing inspiration from Brockley Hill, one of the earliest known potteries in Roman Britain, Crooks chose to craft the artworks from a series of colourful ceramic tiles. These tiles, reminiscent of archaeological fragments, are reassembled to tell the broader story of Barnet’s history. The abstract shapes within the artworks echo the themes found throughout Barnet’s past, from heraldry to film canisters, records to aircraft hangars and more. “Every artwork you encounter in Barnet Legends is unique — just like the individuals they commemorate,” said Edward Crooks. “These pieces are designed not only to honour the legacy of these remarkable figures but also to inspire future generations to uncover and celebrate the stories of their own communities.”

Commissioned by Barnet Council, curated and produced by Create London.