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Anthea Hamilton, Divers, one of 12 official posters chosen for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Hamilton’s depiction of an athlete's poised legs suggests a gymnast, or possibly a synchronized swimmer, in a balletic position. Limited edition of 150, 13-color screenprint on 410gsm Somerset Tub sized paper, 76 x 60cm. Image courtesy London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Olympics: Official London 2012 posters unveiled

Catherine Saunders-Watson
Catherine Saunders-Watson
Anthea Hamilton, Divers, one of 12 official posters chosen for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Hamilton’s depiction of an athlete's poised legs suggests a gymnast, or possibly a synchronized swimmer, in a balletic position. Limited edition of 150, 13-color screenprint on 410gsm Somerset Tub sized paper, 76 x 60cm. Image courtesy London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Anthea Hamilton, Divers, one of 12 official posters chosen for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Hamilton’s depiction of an athlete’s poised legs suggests a gymnast, or possibly a synchronized swimmer, in a balletic position. Limited edition of 150, 13-color screenprint on 410gsm Somerset Tub sized paper, 76 x 60cm. Image courtesy London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

LONDON (AFP) – The 12 official posters for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games were unveiled Thursday, designed by some of Britain’s leading artists, including Tracey Emin.

Among them are four winners of the art world’s prestigious Turner Prize: Martin Creed, Howard Hodgkin, Chris Ofili and Rachel Whiteread.

The images were commissioned by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

LOCOG picked artists from a long list of 100 and asked them to create an image to commemorate London hosting the Games and to represent the values of the Olympics and Paralympics.

The six Olympics posters were designed by Creed, Hodgkin, Ofili, Whiteread, Anthea Hamilton and Bridget Riley.

Emin, Fiona Banner, Michael Craig-Martin, Gary Hume, Sarah Morris, and Bob and Roberta Smith – a pseudonym for the artist Patrick Brill – created the Paralympic posters.

Emin’s image, titled “Birds 2012”, shows two small birds perched on branches beneath the words “You inspire me with Your determination And I Love You.”

Others were inspired by London landmarks. Morris created “Big Ben,” a colorful abstract interpretation of the famous clock tower at Britain’s Houses of Parliament.

The posters were unveiled at the Tate Britain gallery in central London, where they will be displayed in a free exhibition as part of the London 2012 cultural festival.

From Friday, members of the public can buy copies of the images as posters or limited-edition prints.

Commemorative posters are a long standing tradition of the Games, which dates back to 1912.

World-renowned artists including David Hockney, Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol were among many greats to design posters for past Games.

Queen Elizabeth II has been given copies of the poster series for the Royal Collection.

Visit the official website to purchase London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games merchandise at http://shop.london2012.com/

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