Putney Embankment, London
Putney Embankment: #14daysofwashingup, Amy Pennington
Year
2018-2022
Client
fereday pollard for Tideway
Artist
Amy Pennington
Service
Commission Management
Location
Putney Embankment, London
A series of hand-drawn objects for the hoarding at Putney Embankment
The large-scale artwork #14daysofwashingup resulted from a series of workshops organised by the artist Amy Pennington in August 2017, which ranged from mudlarking (scavenging the river mud for treasures), drawing and sculpting, to exploring the value of collecting and collections, and a roaming performance by Putney Pier. The workshops featured mudlarking expert Steve Brooker, star of the History Channel show ‘Mudmen' as well as the archivists from Battersea Arts Centre's Moving Museum. These activities took place over a period of a fortnight during low tide at Putney’s foreshore.
The artwork and hoarding were taken down at the end of 2022.
The mud of the River Thames is anaerobic, meaning it is free of oxygen, and is therefore able to preserve any of the objects it contains in perfect conditions, much like a museum that preserves its collection. On average only one percent of a museum’s collection is on display, and likewise the Thames washes up only small fragments of its rich stores at any given time. The practice of mudlarking dates back to the late 18th and 19th centuries when mudlarks, usually young boys or agile elderly would hunt the banks of the Thames for anything that could be sold. Most often river-dwellers living in poverty, mudlarks could scrape by and make a living in this way.
“It is very immediate, colourful. The more you look, the more you think about our throw- away society and pollution.”
Amy’s mudlarking resulted in a new collection of objects all found at Putney that connects the area to a rich history of trade, river passages and leisure activities and speaks of our habits as consumers over the last three centuries.
The artwork features hand drawn objects from this new collection such as clay tobacco pipes, horseshoes, bones, 18th century pottery fragments and broken toys, accompanied by labels that offer unexpected, imaginative insights into these finds. Some of the texts on the labels were written by participants of the workshops and further developed by the artist. Contemporary items are arranged next to Victorian pieces, exposing an unpredictable display of liquid history.
“#14 days of washing up was a great way to unearth some hidden treasures of the Thames specific to Putney. It was really interesting being present for the 14 days and meeting local people, being told stories, finding objects that relate to past Putney and the Putney of today. The workshops allowed for playful investigation and it was great to see young people drawing outdoors and by the site. I also loved it that a local resident became actively involved and since the project has started drawing again.”
Amy Pennington is a British artist based in London. Working primarily with drawing and people she often ventures off the paper into mediums such as performance, installation and conversation. Pennington works collaboratively with people as participants or co-creators and makes work that sensitively takes notice of human relationships and sociopolitical issues.
Pennington was educated at the radical free art academy at Islington Mill, Salford and holds a BA in Film and Media Studies with Practice from Manchester Metropolitan University. Prior to attending Islington Mill she undertook an Art therapy Foundation Course at Sheffield University.
For more information see:
www.tideway.london