Artist in Residence

Tower Bridge's Artist in Residence programme has been running since 2017, helping visitors and staff alike to see London's defining landmark from new perspectives.

In 2019, as part of our 125th anniversary celebration, Tower Bridge commissioned award winning artist Di Mainstone to create a new piece of work celebrating the history and people of the Bridge. The resulting short film, 'Time Bascule', featured at the centre of an exhibition inside the Engine Rooms, 'Making the Bridge Sing'. A longer version of Time Bascule won three awards at the LA IndieX Film Festival.

An online version of the exhibition can be viewed here Making the Bridge Sing exhibition.

Find out about our previous artists in residence below and check out the galleries for images of their work.

Imogen Piper - 2018

About Imogen Piper's residency

In August 2018 we were delighted to welcome our second Artist in Residence, Imogen Piper.

Imogen delved into the Bridge's records, including those held at the London Metropolitan Archives, fully immersing herself in the task of discovering and artistically interpreting the data of Tower Bridge. She worked with our expert Exhibition and Technical staff to gain a deep understanding of the Bridge, its data and the people who make it work. Behind the scenes, her studio was an energetic space, full of drawings, diagrams, models and ideas.

Following three months of exploration, interpretation and experimentation, Imogen’s residency culminated in an intriguing exhibition, which explored the relationship between the Bridge’s physical structure, its purpose and its mechanics, providing a new and creative perspective on London’s Defining Landmark.

For more information about Imogen, visit www.imogenpiper.co.uk or find her on instagram: @imogenpiper

Alex Evans - 2017

About Alex Evans' residency

In 2017, we were proud to welcome Alex Evans as our first Artist in Residence. Using the Bridge as artistic stimuli and exploring the themes of appearance and disguise, Alex presented 'Beauty and the Bridge', a new exhibition of works created in response to an internationally recognised symbol of London and incredible feat of Victorian engineering.

Displayed inside Tower Bridge's South Tower during the summer of 2017, artist Alex Evans's densely intricate pen and ink drawings use mathematic traditions to explore the relationship between architecture, geometry and nature. This specially created work consisted of 2D contour drawings, digital print making, and 3D pieces using mirrors, silk and Portland stone (one of the key materials used in the construction of the Bridge).

A central component of the Residency was the artist’s engagement with families, schools and the local community. Working closely with Tower Bridge’s Learning Team and drawing on his strong educational experience, Alex led a series of dynamic, interactive and thought provoking workshops with children aged 7 to 10 years old from the Boutcher Primary School in Southwark.

By exploring the unique architectural qualities of Tower Bridge through drawing, collage and photography, the children produced a series of kaleidoscopic visions, which were also on display in the West Walkway as part of this exhibition. These playful artworks share an engaging vision of Tower Bridge as seen through the eyes of young Londoners.