Viewers of BBC South East Today and listeners of BBC Radios Kent, Sussex and Surrey were asked to send in photographs of themselves, friends and relatives for a unique portrait of the Queen for an artwork commissioned by BBC South East to celebrate Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee -  and the response was fantastic!

Thousands submitted family portraits, photos of their ancestors, snaps of important occasions in their lives and of times that made them laugh. Many also used the opportunity to remember loved ones they had lost, sharing precious memories. The project has taken on a life of its own with everyone thinking long and hard about the image they want to represent them and their family in our Jubilee artwork.

More than 5,500 photos were collected. The final portrait is 38 square metres, the size of a double decker bus! Stand up close to our artwork and you will see a mass of touching, funny or inspirational photos – step back 20 paces and it transforms to become a double portrait of the Queen. The final image chosen for our portrait celebrates Queen Elizabeth’s sixty years on the throne, using an early image of the Queen shortly before her Coronation set against a more contemporary portrait. It represents the Queen’s 60 years, honouring Her Majesty and the people who make Britain great.

Helen Marshall, the artist leading the project, is an expert at creating large scale photo-mosaics. She has a reputation for working alongside communities to build socially significant works of art, including the world’s largest photo-mosaic ‘The Big Picture'. Helen viewed every photograph and painstakingly manipulated these images to ensure they were artistically displayed within the final piece. PollyTiles, are computer design experts who produced the 16 huge panels which slot together to create our giant portrait.

The Peoples Monarch will be shown in two of the South East’s most prestigious art galleries. The Towner in Eastbourne from 26th May to 10th June, and at Turner Contemporary on 16th and 17th June

Come to the FREE Artist workshops at Towner Gallery this jubilee weekend 2nd and 3rd June!