London's New V&A East Museum Opens in Stratford

The V&A East Museum has opened in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford. The five-storey building stands at 7,000 square metres and overlooks Stratford Waterfront. Designed by architectural practice O’Donnell + Tuomey, the exterior features 479 sand-coloured concrete panels inspired by Cristóbal Balenciaga and the concept of ma.

Outside the main entrance stands Thomas J Price’s 18-foot bronze sculpture titled 'A Place Beyond'. The building includes two public entrances at the Podium level and Waterfront Square, leading to light-flooded communal areas with a publicly accessible roof terrace.

The Galleries and Collections

• Free Admission: The museum is free to enter for visitors.

• Why We Make Galleries: Two permanent galleries display over 500 objects spanning art, architecture, design, performance, and fashion across ten themes such as identity, wellbeing, and social justice.

• Featured Works: Exhibits include Yinka Ilori's 'Captain Hook' armchair, Molly Goddard's 2020 Daria dress, a copy of a 16th-century self-portrait by Sofonisba Anguissola, Maud Sulter's 1988 photographic portrait of Lubaina Himid, Pussyhats, Keith Khan's carnival costumes, ballet costumes by Leigh Bowery, and fashion pieces by Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood.

The museum follows the opening of its sister site, the V&A East Storehouse, which houses the David Bowie Centre and its 90,000-piece archive.