Thinking about preparing for our exhibition, London Life, taking place in September at the Barbican Library, I began by photographing the roof and windows of Waterloo Station. This is where I arrive and leave on my visits to London. Under the clock, at the centre of the concourse, is the draughty place where people often arrange to meet.
I was particularly drawn to the glass roof and the patterns created by the metal structure and arched Edwardian side windows that form an interesting contrast. I was also attracted to the effect of the light coming through the somewhat dirty glass.
My sketches, which give feel of place, are simplified versions of the photographs and not exact copies of the images.
Waterloo Station: Roof structures Wax crayon and Koh-i-noor watercolour
Waterloo Station: Roof and Windows. Wax crayon and Koh-I noor watercolour.
Waterloo Station: Roof structures and clock. Wax crayon and Koh-i-noor watercolour
Another area which interested me was the busy street scene in Waterloo Road. Coming out of the station, hordes of people are dashing in various directions. Heavy traffic is passing and this consists of many different types of vehicles, including buses, taxis, cars, lorries, motor bikes and delivery bikes.
While waiting at the bus stop to travel to the Barbican I noticed the overpowering feeling of the ponderous railway bridges over the gritty street scene. These are painted in bright colours and display interesting patterns as part of their structure.
Waterloo Road: Bridges and Buses. Mixed media
Waterloo Station: Alaska Street Mixed media
Waterloo Station: Taxi approach. Mixed media
On a wider point of view the station is a place where many people pass through. Their lives may be a boring regular commute to work or alternatively be on the cusp of change stimulated by a visit to the metropolis. The station is used by many types of members of society from the ladies bedecked in amazing Ascot hats to the homeless looking for refuge.
For the future and moving on to textile work, I aim to accentuate the different shapes and angles of the station roof and windows to create a dramatic effect with perspective and the composition of the shapes of the signs and bridges.
I am thinking of painting on cloth, fabric collage and stitch techniques to produce a piece of work based on this theme. I intend to make more visits to the station and area to absorb the atmosphere.
Written and illustrated by Kate Davis