Thames Project
The Thames is central to the identity of London. The story of the city is that of the river itself, of trade, and of its people, and all three are intrinsically linked.
Historically, most Londoners earned their living directly off the river, or by means of the goods that were transported along it. By the eighteenth century, trade became the river’s defining feature, and docks, great fortress-like structures with gates and high walls, were built. They were one of the wonders of creation.
Alan Oliver
London, England
Screen print. Hemp, hyacinth, elderberry, alder, indulca, iron acetate, soda ash, beeswax. 42cm (w) x 55cm (h)
Wool, linen, pomegranate, alder, iron acetate. 120cm x 180cm. Inspired by the Thames, the grey dyes used in this piece were developed from alder cones and modified with iron acetate. Alders have long been associated with rivers and flourished 5000 years ago on the south bank of the Thames at Southwark. The iron modifier used was made from objects collected from along the river’s foreshore. The gold coloured yarn were dyed with pomegranate, an ancient dye, representative of the historic trade on the river.