New artwork paying homage to a legendary Ilford-born boxer has appeared in the town.

Ilford Son is an artistic tribute to Nigel Benn and has gone on display at SPACE Ilford, behind Redbridge Town Hall.

Benn is a former two-time world champion, originally from Henley Road and of Barbadian heritage.

He had an international career across the 1980s and 90s and earned world titles at middleweight and super-middleweight.

The artist behind the brand new display is Gerald Marie Nelly, or Mister Geez, a London-based visual artist originally from Martinique.

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Mister Geez said he was eager to capture “the diversity and character of Ilford” through an AI led photographic art piece dedicated to “a man who deserved a tribute”.

On choosing to base his display on Benn, Mister Geez said, “I bought his book, second hand, read it a couple of times and I thought he was interesting and importantly from Ilford.

"His Caribbean heritage also interested me as I am from the French Caribbean."

The artwork combines visualised numerical data that showcases key information from all of Benn’s fights behind a digital portrait of him generated through artificial intelligence.

“Because of his boxing, there was a lot of data across his career, fights and results”, noted the artist. “So, I decided to merge that data with his portrait."

Utilising AI, this resulted in the creation of a layered image representing both the man and his achievements.

The final step in the process involved translating the digital composition into a physical artwork using a 19th century photographic printing process.

This produced a distinctive Prussian blue colour which dominates the artwork.

“I love the diversity of Ilford”, Mister Geez said. “I have met some very nice people here, especially in the photography workshop that I hosted in June.

“I have spoken to a few people who have been stood looking at the new piece and they have said ‘oh I know him’ or ‘I know his family’, so it is nice to create art for the people who really know Nigel.

“I was also really hoping that youngsters around here can see the face of a black man who is a world champion.

“This guy is from the same place as they are from and actually achieved big things and can inspire younger people."

The artwork will be displayed at SPACE Ilford until March 2025.