National Grid has teamed up with Wandsworth Council’s Arts Team and the local Pump House Gallery to launch two special ‘pop up’ exhibitions at the Battersea Gasholders site.
Published on
June 24, 2014
National Grid has teamed up with Wandsworth Council’s Arts Team and the local Pump House Gallery to launch two special ‘pop up’ exhibitions at the Battersea Gasholders site. The exhibitions were launched this week at the site where National Grid is dismantling the four disused gas holders to make way for much needed housing. A special launch party held at the site was attended by guests including Wandsworth Council leader Cllr Ravi Govindia.
Work by local school children from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, John Burns Primary School, Griffins Primary School and St George’s Church of England Primary School, is being showcased in the exhibition. The children visited the site and learnt about its history and engineering and then worked with professional artist Amy Jayne Hughes to create drawings and sculptures interpreting what they had seen and learnt.
Also on display are a series of industrial portraits by specialist photographer Ben Murphy, who was commissioned by National Grid to take shots of each gas holder dismantling. The photographs cover a wide range of perspectives of the gasholders including interior and exterior views and offer atmospheric interpretations of the industrial monoliths.
Keith Johnston, Land Regeneration Manager at National Grid, said: “We’re delighted to launch these exhibitions which showcase some dedicated work from Ben Murphy, Amy Jayne Hughes and the local children.
“In its day our site helped keep thousands of Londoners supplied with gas for cooking and heating. Changes in technology mean we no longer need this site and it can be redeveloped to provide much needed housing for the capital.
He added: “However we won’t forget the important role this site played and we hope the exhibitions serve as a fitting tribute to it and all those who worked here.
“We’re keen to promote an interest in engineering among youngsters and it’s inspiring to think that some of the children who visited the site may grow up to be the engineers of tomorrow and could help keep future generations of Londoners supplied with energy.”
Schools, parents and members of the local community are invited to view the exhibition this week on Wednesday 25 June and Thursday 26 June between 11am-3pm and on Saturday 28 June, 10am to 1pm.
A series of open days for the general public will be held on the following dates:
Saturday, 26 July 10am-1pm
Thursday, 31 July 3pm-5pm
Thursday 28 August 3pm-5pm
Saturday 30 August 10am-1pm
Saturday 20 September 10am-1pm
Thursday 25 September 3pm-5pm
For more information on the exhibition and National Grid’s work at Battersea call 0800 319 6165, email info@BatterseaGasholders.com or write to Battersea Gasholders, Local Dialogue, FREEPOST NAT3717, London, SE1 2BR.
Further information is also available at www.BatterseaGasholders.com