Willoughby Passage Gate - Katy Hackney (1999)

An “open invitation to enter� was the brief for the gate fronting Willoughby Passage, off West India Avenue.

The elegant structure was created by Dundee-born jewellery designer Katy Hackney who runs the east end design store Shelf.

There is evidence of her quirky hand-crafted individual pieces in this alluring five by eight metre gate.

The passage it fronts was named after the navigator and explorer Sir Hugh Willoughby who sailed to his death in 1553 in search of a northerly route to Asia.

Hackney is inspired by the natural world, particularly the mysteries of the sea and sky.

Her elliptical design has the appearance of ripples on a pool spilling out from of the jewel-like studded turquoise centrepiece.

The passage and river beyond are visible through the spaces between the strips of stainless steel that make up the gate's surface.