Deptford Church Street, London
Deptford Church Street, London: Deptford Plinths, Studio Weave
Year
2025
Client
fereday pollard for Tideway
Artist
Studio Weave
Service
Commission Management
Location
Deptford Church Street, London
A series of permanent commissions for Deptford Church Street
Studio Weave were commissioned by Tideway to create a series of artworks integrated into the new landscaping of the Crossfield Open Space, off Deptford High Street. in
The artworks are civic, democratic in character. Cast in aluminium, they present abstract forms following in a mdedernist public art tradition. Inspired by Mary Lacey’s story, Sudio Weave explored the ‘everyday values’ that characterise contemporary Deptford.
The Heritage Interpretation Strategy outlines the heritage theme for the East section of the tunnel as ‘The Shipping Parishes – Gateway to the World’. Within this heading, the site-specific narrative centered on Mary Lacy, whose 18th century memoirs describe her life as a mariner and naval shipwright whilst disguised as a man under the adopted name William Chandler.
“We are happy to be able to contribute to the public realm of Deptford. These artworks are a small contribution to a rich community, delivered as an invitation to the people of Deptford to use them. ”
Through a community consultation event held at Deptford Lounge, residents discussed what they wished to see celebrated in Deptford. Four values were identified by the local residents which informed the development of four corresponding plinths:
“For Considering Our History”
“Dead Bolshie”
“It’s Complex”
“Good Spirit”
Traditionally, public monuments have elevated figures of gods, leaders and high achievers to heroic positions, symbolising grand ideologies and separaing them from the everyday world. In contrast, Deptford Plinths redefineds the plinth itself as an object of value. The four artworks have been placed modestly as part of the landscape amongst new planting and seating as a backdrop to the everyday.
For more information on the site’s history see Tideway’s Heritage Interpretation Strategy.
“We’re grateful to be part of a diverse series of commissions and for the curators’ support.”
About the designer
Studio Weave is an architectural practice based in London, UK - building new connections between materials, history and culture. The practice has developed an international reputation for delivering a wide range of extraordinary projects in cultural, educational, heritage, arts, public realm and residential sectors.
Studio Weave has a breadth of recent cultural work, from exhibition design, curation, new museum architecture and art commissions. The projects range from new pavilions and landscapes for the British Museum, a refurbishment and extension to Vestry House Museum and a Gold Medal winning garden at the Chelsea Flower Show.
Driven by a combination of creative interpretation, social understanding and technical precision, projects emerge firmly rooted in their place - always delivering idiosyncratic high quality and value for people who use them.
See: www.studioweave.com
For more information on the project see: www.tideway.london