Since 1912 each Olympic host city has commissioned one or more posters to celebrate the hosting of the Games and since the first Paralympic Games was held at Stoke Mandeville posters have also been commissioned for the Paralympic Games.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) sought to return to this artistic tradition, and commissioned twelve of the UK’s leading artists to create images to celebrate London hosting the 2012 Games, six for the Olympic Games and six for the Paralympic Games.

Seb Coe, LOCOG Chair, said: ‘These brilliant posters by some of the UK’s leading artists will be a fitting reminder of the high quality, skill and creativity demonstrated during the London 2012 Games.’

Members of the public are able to buy copies of the images by Fiona Banner, Michael Craig-Martin, Martin Creed, Tracey Emin, Anthea Hamilton, Howard Hodgkin, Gary Hume, Sarah Morris, Chris Ofili, Bridget Riley, Bob and Roberta Smith and Rachel Whiteread as both posters (at a cost of £7 from www.london2012.com/shop) and limited edition prints (from www.countereditions.com). Both posters and prints are still available to purchase and, after the London 2012 Online Shop closes, will continue to be available from retail outlets.