River Thames
Background
My experiences of London are enhanced when I spend time by the Thames. I first started making paintings along this river in the late 1970s of disused warehouses near the Pool of London. Around this time I also studied the river from a rooftop located on the Strand. Recently I returned to the same roof (80 Strand) and made a new series of drawings and paintings of the ever-changing skyline around the river.
There are many moods and aspects of the Thames that I find intriguing. The rising and falling tide is fascinating to draw as the air pressure shifts under bridges when the tidal movements occur. The volumes of air and matter appear to transform during this process. The architecture along the river suggests a unique historical time frame as present and past structures coexist simultaneously. During daylight there can be vast changes of light along the riverbank, while evenings bring a curious drama of shifting shadows set against the constant illumination of artificial light. Seeing the opposite shore from under a bridge arch or experiencing the bend of the river from the perspective of a tall building can also offer fascinating blueprints for design ideas. I have been drawn to this location over many years and my Thames series continues.
Nigel Caple
2021.
