Dezeen Magazine

Colourful flags spelling "Clean Power" by Morag Myerscough on busy Oxford Street

Morag Myerscough reveals colourful flags emblazoned with environmental message on Oxford Street

British artist Morag Myerscough has created an aerial installation of 105 flags for the Clean Power campaign, which aims to encourage conversation about renewable energy.

Spanning the length of Oxford Street in London, the flags feature bold letters spelling "Time for Clean Power" and highlighting renewable energy sources – sun, sea and air.

Elevated view of Morag Myerscough's flags for Clean Power on Oxford Street
The aerial installation is made up of 105 flags

"It felt really important to make energy a positive thing because, at the moment, it's really negative," Myerscough told Dezeen.

"Renewables are positive – it's the future, and we want people to connect with that."

Morag Myerscough's Clean Power flags with the words sun and air
Myerscough used the words 'sun', 'sea' and 'air' to draw attention to renewable energy

By using simple, bold and colourful words for the Clean Power campaign, Myerscough aimed to create "powerful positive messaging" that is easily understood.

"I think art is a way into people's understanding and connection," she said. "It's not a branding thing; it's activism."

Elevated view of Morag Myerscough's flags for Clean Power on Oxford Street
The flags span the length of Oxford Street in London

The four-metre-long flags are made of recycled plastic from marine environments. The installation marks the first time Oxford Street's flags have been curated by an artist and the first time they have promoted an environmental cause.

"It is so wonderful to see Europe's busiest street filled with colour and hope," said Myerscough.

"The oranges, greens and blues represent the sun, sea and air that we need to power ourselves to a renewable future."

The Clean Power aerial installation will remain on Oxford Street for four weeks before embarking on a world tour to countries including Japan, the US, Italy, Australia and New Zealand.

"It's important for me that it's right there for everyone to see," Myerscough said. "Hopefully, this will induce dialogue."

Morag Myerscough's Clean Power flags on Oxford Street spelling the words 'Clean Power'
The installation is the first time Oxford Street's flags have been used to support an environmental cause

The Clean Power campaign, which was established by non-profit organisation #TogetherBand, partnered with Oxford Street with the hope of amplifying its message of renewable energy to visitors and businesses.

"Where we've gone wrong about climate conversation is the general message is quite data heavy and science-based," said Oliver Wayman, founder of the Clean Power campaign. "We need to find ways of being able to condense this information."

"You can get a strong emotional response straight away by looking up at the flags and thinking, what does this mean and what can I do?" he told Dezeen.

Morag Myerscough and Oliver Wayman pictured with the Clean Power flags
Myerscough and Wayman hoped to spark a positive conversation about renewable energy with the Clean Power installation

"We were very keen, particularly in the key parts across Oxford Circus, not to put any logos on," Wayman explained. "It's pure art. It's pure design."

Clean Power partnered with New West End Company – an organisation that represents 600 UK businesses – to complete the Oxford Street installation and encourage local businesses to get involved with renewable energy advisor Big Clean Switch.

Myerscough previously collaborated with Clean Power during the COP26 climate conference, where she designed a series of flags and banners across the host city, Glasgow.