Tsai and Yoshikawa with Boris Johnson

'The Lion'

Chinatown's 'The Lion' is runner-up for top arts award

Hsiao-Chi Tsai and Kimiya Yoshikawa meet Boris Johnson at the prestigious Marsh Award for Public Sculpture

The larger-than-life Lion - one of Chinatown's most colourful residents - is only six months old but it's already a much-loved fixture of the area. Made of brightly-coloured Perspex, jesmonite and steel, this instantly-recognisable creature welcomes visitors to Chinatown from its perch above the corner of Wardour Street and Shaftesbury Avenue. Now, it's been recognised by the arts world too, earning the runner-up prize at the Marsh Award for Public Sculpture - an award for outstanding public art installations.

Creators Hsiao-Chi Tsai from Taiwan and Kimiya Yoshikawa from Japan rubbed shoulders with Mayor of London Boris Johnson and other shortlisted luminaries including renowned Brit artist Sarah Lucas at the awards ceremony on November 16th.

Described as 'a striking new landmark' by the BBC, The Lion welcomes thousands of visitors and residents to Chinatown every day. Installed in April as part of the Five Circles arts festival, organised by Chinatown Arts Space, it represents the diversity of East Asians living and working in Chinatown and the wider UK. We'd like you to come and see if you agree with the judges - and judge The Lion for yourself. You'll find it in Chinatown at the corner of Shaftesbury Avenue and Wardour Street. Just look up and you can't miss it.

Find out more about the Marsh Award here.