Zaha Hadid designs 2017 BRIT Awards statue

The award-winning, Iraqi-born British architect suddenly died on 31 March following a heart attack. Today (31 October) would have been her 66th birthday.

The project was accepted and started by Hadid prior to her death, and its completion has been led by Maha Kutay (Director at Zaha Hadid Design) and Niamh Byrne (on behalf of The BRIT Awards). A press release says that the "2017 statue both honours and adds to Hadid’s remarkable legacy."

Kutay says of the project: “Zaha was truly excited to be doing this. Her vision was, being an architect, to focus our efforts more on the 3D element, as the statue had previously been used as a canvas for artists to paint on for the last few years. Our design expresses Zaha’s unwavering belief in progress and optimism for the future and a break from the norm. The biggest challenge was to create something different within certain guidelines, yet achieving a result recognisable to the public. You have to respect the existing to create something new.”

There will be five bespoke statues for next year's BRITs; Mutay adds: "The concept represents diversity, the family is connected by a wave of transition, they are different yet connected.”

Pam Hogg designed the 2016 award.