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4 November 2011 Last updated at 13:01

In pictures: London 2012 posters

A selection of established artists across the UK have designed a series of posters to help promote the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Organisers said Divers by Anthea Hamilton (pictured) seems to "capture a gymnastic pose or show, perhaps a synchronised swimmer [or] diver holding a balletic position".

All the artists were asked to create a work that either celebrated the Games coming to London or embodied the values of the Olympics or Paralympics. Artist Martin Creed used five single brush marks using a palette derived from the Olympic colours for Work No. 1273 (pictured). The Turner Prize winner said the shape represents an extended podium, which offers places beyond first, second and third.

In the darkest area of Howard Hodgkin's Swimming artwork (pictured), a figure can just about be made out. Organisers say the "fluidity" of the brushstrokes "captures the movement of water and the sensation of swimming". Hodgkin describes his work as "representational pictures of emotional situations."

Turner Prize-winning painter Chris Ofili said the title of his poster was inspired by runners he can see from his window. The vase motif, which frames the runner, represents the Ancient Olympic Games. The artist often creates paintings that are inspired by his own personal experiences.

Bridget Riley is celebrated for her optically vibrant paintings. The horizontal lines in Rose Rose (pictured) indicate the direction of the Olympic swimming lanes or athletic tracks. Riley, who began her career using only black and white patterns, started to experiment with colour in 1967, the same year she began painting stripes.

Rachel Whiteread, was the first woman to win the prestigious Turner Prize 1993. Best known for her sculpture, she created this piece using the five Olympic colours. The rings represent the famous Olympic rings, but also marks left by drinking bottles or glasses. Organisers said the stains act as "memories of a social gathering".

Fiona Banner's work includes sculpture, drawing and installation that are normally based around text. In Superhuman Nude (pictured) she has used words to define the "shapes and forms of the body". The print is Banner's study of a Paralympic cyclist.

Michael Craig-Martin traditionally combines everyday objects such as light bulbs and chairs with words. Organisers said that his combination of the word 'go', with a stopwatch "conveys a sense of immediacy, the excitement and anticipation experienced in the moments before the starter pistol is fired".

Known for her controversial artwork, Tracey Emin said she created Birds 2012 by taking the Paralympic values of inspiration and determination as the starting point of her work. Organisers said her piece was a "charming and tender tribute" to the games.

The large circle in the bottom of Gary Hume's poster represents the wheel of a wheelchair and the smaller circle represents a tennis ball.

Sarah Morris is best known for her abstract paintings based on cityscapes and architecture. For her Paralympic tribute poster, the artist created an abstract representation of one of London's most famous landmarks, Big Ben.

Bob and Roberta Smith is artist Patrick Brill's pseudonym. His work, which mainly involves the use of text on hand-painted signs, usually conveys "direct and often humorous messages". The posters will be on display at Tate Britain next year and feature in a high profile campaign to promote the Olympics.

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In pictures: London 2012 posters

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