John Pillbeam heard about the art project in newspapers, he decided to take part because he enjoys being part of large projects. He has spent most of his life in Southern Africa but had to move away from Zimbabwe 4 years ago due to political unrest. He discusses his life in Africa and how difficult it's been to retire in England. He talks about how his friends and family have dispersed since moving away from Africa and how he tries to keep in touch with everyone. He was born in England and was an apprentice in a dockyard, he qualified with an engineering degree and decided to move to Africa where he worked as an engineer and later owned a number of businesses. John talks in depth about experiences in Africa how they shaped him as an individual. His interests include the banjo, which he will be playing on the plinth, fishing which he does with his sons, and theatre. He lists various plays that he has partaken in and goes on to say how he prefers the smaller roles where you can really make the characters your own and also enjoy the play without enduring stresses of larger roles.