I’m merely celebrating people who try quite hard but just can’t make the last bit that is required to win,’ says Indian graphic novelist Sarnath Banerjee, who created East London public art project ‘The Gallery of Losers.’

Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps and Sushil Kumar. The winners are easy to remember. But what about everyone else? Together, they form the majority of the over 10,000 athletes who participated in the 2012 London Olympics.

It’s with them in mind that Indian graphic novelist Sarnath Banerjee came up with his latest public art project: “The Gallery of Losers,” comprised of characters who came to life on billboards and posters displayed in East London over the past few weeks.

“You see an Olympic non-medalist. You gaze at his face for long enough. You see that person, after an unsuccessful jump, looking back at the podium with his hand raised. And nobody is really looking because they are already looking at the next in line. And then a hint of a story creeps in, in your head,” says Mr. Banerjee.