Developing Landscape – Exhibition

The exhibition includes four of the pieces of work I created as part of the Developing Landscape programme.

Exhibition Preview. Saturday 7th May 2016.
Pumphouse Gallery, Battersea Park, London SW11 4NJ
Developing Landscapes 7th – 15th May 2016.

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The opening paragraphs from the exhibition introduction plate photographs above are as follows:

Developing Landscape
Does your neighbourhood look the same as in your memories?
Have you become used to living with those giant metal hands around you?
Enjoy the collection of developing records through the artists eyes…

Developing Landscape is a project bringing together a group of over 40 enthusiasts, amateurs and artists, interested in exploring and painting the changing landscapes of South West London.

The exhibition shows work produced over a 6 week period, where every Sunday the group responded to a different development site in the London Borough of Wandsworth. Through partnershis with various stakeholders, including multinational developers, Wandsworth is at the forefront of urban development in London, setting out a new capital vision to reshape the local landscape, creating new public and private spaces that, “reflect the vision and aspirations of the local community”.

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Developing Landscapes: Vauxhall Riverside

I joined the Developing Landscapes group again last Sunday (17th March) for their final day of producing on-location art. This event to draw from the Vauxhall Riverside Walk and Environs was supported also by the Drawing London On Location group.

Most of the artists operated along the river between Vauxhall Bridge and Battersea Power station. Some even took to a fishing trawler that had been converted to a house boat. My attentions focussed on the construction in progress on the new U.S. Embassy and I soon realised I was sitting yards from a small mosaic of Edward Snowden including the words, ‘Thanks for the Truth’ so I looked to combine them in some way in my work.

Next Steps:
In the next week I will be sharing details of the exhibition I am joining to show the work from the whole programme that takes place in Battersea 6th – 15th May (preview 7th May).

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Vauxhall and Battersea Spray

I took part in the Developing Landscape project bringing together artists, interested in exploring and painting the changing landscapes of South West London.

Vauxhall and Battersea Riverside
The story of this painting starts last summer on a community farm near Wallington ten miles south of Central London, as part for my then employers volunteering program. As my colleagues and I harvested potatoes we had a clear view of the London skyline including the Vauxhall Tower to the west. We tried to identify the buildings and it struck me that the endeavour of planning, building and construction carries with it great responsibility that I feel is being taken too lightly in our society. These buildings could be seen by many of London’s nine million or so population at any time and for centuries to come. Will they stand the test of time and will future generations look back with wonder and with respect at what was built? I see the lack of creativity and acceptance of it as being rather contagious and it is spreading just like the chemical and vapours from an aerosol can. It was suggested to me that the Vauxhall Tower looks rather like a kitchen roll holder or an aerosol can. I opted for the latter as it fitted the metaphor well.

Original drawing »
Part completed painting »

#developing_landscape

Vauxhall Sky Gardens, Nine Elms

I took part in the Developing Landscape project bringing together artists, interested in exploring and painting the changing landscapes of South West London.

As I was finishing my painting of the Vauxhall Sky Garden construction, I began to see some similarities to a Dr Who Dalek so I added a Dalek Head styled penthouse to the top.

My Dalek style building in Exterminate! mode represents the disappointment I feel at another glass cylindrical tower appearing on London’s horizon when there is one already a few blocks away. I’m not sure London is realising it’s full potential in applying creativity to the responsibility we have in building the environment and city landscape for many future generations to enjoy.

As I was finishing my painting of the Vauxhall Sky Garden construction, I began to see some similarities to a Dr Who Dalek so I added a Dalek Head styled penthouse to the top.
My Dalek style building in Exterminate! mode represents the disappointment I feel at another glass cylindrical tower appearing on London’s horizon when there is one already a few blocks away. I’m not sure London is realising it’s full potential in applying creativity to the responsibility we have in building the environment and city landscape for many future generations to enjoy.

#developing_landscape

Battersea Power Station

I took part in the Developing Landscape project bringing together artists, interested in exploring and painting the changing landscapes of South West London.

This view of the power station offered a fitting contrast between the old and the new. I included the South West service train that until recently I had taken as part of my daily commute to working in Sutton. Over this time I saw the glass buildings surrounding the power station emerge with their unimaginative straight lines,  offering no apparent compliment to the power station other than to frame it.

I love the way the power station and the materials used to build it so many years ago were reflecting the mid-day sun with a honey warmth and in a way the surrounding stark glass could only wish for.

#developing_landscape

Robert Stephenson

NOT Prince Charles though it accidentally turned out to look more like him than Stephenson!. Drawn from the bust of Robert Stephenson, a civil engineer, designed and built the famous locomotive ‘Rocket’ for his father George Stephenson’s Liverpool and Manchester railway. Drawn with the drop-in drawing group at the National Portrait Gallery [NPG Portrait Drawing #5]

Kite Flying

Kite flying in Dunwich, Suffolk. “Note to Self: None of us are getting out of here alive, so please stop treating yourself like an after thought. Eat the delicious food. Walk in the sunshine. Jump in the ocean. Say the truth that you’re carrying in your heart like hidden treasure. Be silly. Be kind. Be weird. There’s no time for anything else.” – Nanea Hoffman, Sweatpants & Coffee