Bankside’s Past in the Present

Thirty two pieces form the basis of an exhibition about change and regeneration in Bankside, London. This neighbourhood has changed beyond recognition since Victorian times when it was once an area of bustling riverside wharfs, numerous manufacturing industries, food production, brewing and power generation.  However, despite being a hive of industry and manufacturing innovation it was also an area of acute poverty, pollution and poor housing.

The images overlay contemporary scenes in Bankside with historical incidents, events and local characters stretching back over 200 years. These are shown in conjunction with original photographs dating from the 1890s when Bankside Power Station first started to generate electricity for London. Complementing these are archival plans, documentary photographs and personal memories tracing the major developments from the 1970s and 80s to the present day. These are curated by George Nicholson, Better Bankside and Bankside Residents’ Forum. Taken together, the exhibition forms a backdrop to Bankside’s Neighbourhood Plan which is due to be published later this year.

This exhibition launched at the OXO Gallery, South Bank London in May 2017 and will tour to two other venues in Bankside in the autumn 2017/spring 2018.