Art at the Bridge Phase 2
Published: 15 July 2011
THREE rising stars from Southwark Arts Forum (SAF) have been
chosen to exhibit their work within Tower Bridge in a year long
rolling exhibition ‘Local Art at the Bridge’. Launched in March
this year, the exhibition reflects the iconic London landmark and
the River Thames from the artists’ perspective of their local
community.
The exhibition, which is a collaboration between SAF and Tower
Bridge, opens at 10.30am on Friday 15th July 2011 and will feature
the work of Brian Williams, Chris Vervain and Zohreh Korangi.
“This exhibition provides a high profile platform for some of
the brightest aspiring artists who live and work in our local area
whilst offering an interesting new dimension to the Tower Bridge
Exhibition. London is one of the art world’s most vibrant and
culturally diverse hubs so to be able to give exposure to just some
of these inspiring artists in such a spectacular setting as Tower
Bridge is a privilege for us.” said Tower Bridge Director, David
Wight.
Tower Bridge’s brief to SAF was to ask artists living in the
boroughs surrounding Tower Bridge to submit work for consideration
that references two harmonizing themes - the River Thames, Tower
Bridge and its surroundings, past, present and future, whilst
reflecting the character, values and dynamics of the communities
that live there.
Two locations within Tower Bridge have been specially converted
into exhibition spaces to house the diverse forms of art on show -
the Victorian Engine Rooms and Level 2 of the South Tower - both
areas that all visitors to the Tower Bridge Exhibition will pass
through on their exploration of the Bridge. Tower Bridge can
attract as many as 2,000 visitors per day during peak seasons so
this represents a very valuable opportunity for the artists to
reach a large international audience.
“We received many outstanding submissions and we will show as
many artists as possible,” said SAF membership co-ordinator Alex
Ressel. “This art really comes from the heart of the community,
it’s art that understands London and speaks to a wide demographic.
Most of all, it’s art that isn’t easily forgotten which sits
perfectly within such a memorable location as Tower Bridge.”
The three artists exhibiting their work between July and October
2011:
Brian Williams
Born in a deprived area of Liverpool in 1946, Brian has lived in
Southwark - walking distance from Tower Bridge - since finishing
his Fine Art degree in Camberwell in 1981.
Although mainly a figurative artist, he has some landscape
paintings where his main influence is Picasso which you can easily
observe in the shape of his figures and the use of a soft cubist
style - which can clearly be seen in his drawings. In his paintings
the compositions of his subjects and the use of colour come
together to create a very visual and exciting study of his
subjects. Women are his main focus, but the family and
children are also part of his compositions. The face expressions
and absent looks from the subjects are very intriguing and may be a
window to Brian's own life.
Chris Vervain
Chris’s work is compelling and intense. London is thrilling,
dazzling and all encompassing and her work creates a sympathetic
movement in the lines of force, action and connection. Flowing
through the city, the River Thames is dark and mysterious carrying
the secret histories of the ages. Hiding away from the bright new
buildings and bustling tourist crowds wind older grimy streets and
alley ways. And under the streets, the buildings and even the river
itself is a labyrinth of tunnels that tell tales of brutality,
neglect and ruthless ambition. In Chris’s work, these various paths
gather into a pattern to become part of the greater ever changing
whole.
Zohreh Korangi
Zohreh is fascinated in the entire spectrum of the human condition
and her work explores the journey of life, the different challenges
faced and the essential spark of hope which lies at the heart of
every individual. Her current series Our Journey is influenced by
birth, love, loss, conflict, prejudice, resistance, desire and
sacrifice. The force of nature often provides a backdrop to the
hidden stories of the people she depicts. Her work is filled with
the passion and joy found in interactions; of people with
themselves, with others and with the natural world. The visual
language employed by Zohreh includes; human silhouettes, birds,
skies and seas. Her symbols represent different aspects of life;
she evokes a deep sense of understanding of how everything in life
is connected to and influences another.
For further information on exhibits or submissions contact SAF
on 020 7231 3222 or visit
www.southwarkartsforum.org.