London Life
Shelley has created some exciting artworks for her London Landmarks Collection.
The London Landmarks Collection explores some of the city’s most recognisable buildings, set within evocative urban landscapes.
They usually begin with a broader composition that establishes the landmark in its environment, then subsequent works are developed that delve into the nuances of its architecture, atmosphere, and material presence. The abstractions often weave in found materials that mirror the textures of the cityscape, paired with snippets of poetry or lyrics that heighten the piece’s emotional depth.
The buildings often have an industrial or commercial use and past reflecting Shelley’s love of industrial urban landscape.
The newest works in the Collection are based on the Oxo Tower, the South Bank Centre, and Tower Bridge.
In these works, Shelley has incorporated salvaged materials such as sand, cement, brick, rust, Cornish Granite and Portland Stone. These natural or industrial mediums bring their own histories to bear on the reading of the artworks – providing fragments of memory to her creations. They also bring a real textural physicality to the paintings.
Other London works include Shelley’s renditions of Battersea, The Shard and Waterloo. These works contain lyrics to add to the narrative of the scene depicted.
Read on to find out about Shelley’s unique collection showcasing iconic buildings and areas of London.
London Oxo Tower
The Oxo Tower features in several artworks – Oxo Tower Reds!
These works represent the Oxo Tower and its environs – abstracting from the Tower itself, from the surrounding buildings, and from the brickwork, the ironwork, and the signage. They also show the beach present on the banks of the Thames near the Oxo Tower.
Pictured is Oxo Tower Red 1. This artwork is the largest Oxo Tower Red and shows the Tower as well as abstracting from the brickwork, the ironwork, the signage and the beach. Painted in acrylics, it also contains brick dust, sand, and other mixed media with resin. It’s created on a chunky box canvas, framed in black wood, and provides a stunning visual statement.
Oxo Artwork for Sale
Oxo Tower Red 2
Oxo Tower Red 2 abstracts elements of the environment surrounding the Oxo Tower – focusing on the brickwork and the signage. It also represents the beach on the banks of the Thames near the Oxo Tower. Painted in acrylics, it also contains brick dust, sand, and other mixed media with resin. It’s on a chunky box canvas that has a real physical presence.
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London Tower Bridge
London’s Tower Bridge features in these new artworks – Tower Blues!
These new works represent Tower Bridge – abstracting from the Bridge itself, and from the stonework and the ironwork. They also show Tower Beach present on the banks of the Thames near the Bridge.
Pictured is Tower Blue 1. This artwork is the largest Tower Blue and shows a stylised sketch of the Tower itself as well as abstracting from the architectural stonework of the Bridge’s pillars – made from Cornish Granite and Portland Stone – as well as the ironwork and the beach. Painted in acrylics, it also contains Cornish Granite dust, Portland Stone Dust, sand, wood, rivets and other mixed media with resin. It’s created on a chunky box canvas, framed in white wood, and provides a stunning visual statement.
Tower Bridge Artwork for Sale
Tower Blue 2
Tower Blue 2 abstracts elements of Tower Bridge including the architectural stonework of the Bridge’s pillars – made from Cornish Granite and Portland Stone – as well as the ironwork and the beach. Painted in acrylics, it also contains Cornish Granite dust, Portland Stone Dust, sand, and other mixed media with resin. It’s on a chunky box canvas that has a real physical presence.
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London South Bank
Further west along from The Oxo Tower, the South Bank also features in artworks – South Bank Yellows!
These works represent buildings on London’s South Bank including the Southbank Centre, Royal Festival Hall, National Theatre, Hayward Gallery, and BFI Southbank – and the iconic bright yellow concrete staircase. They also represents the beach present on the banks of the Thames near the South Bank.
This artwork is the largest South Bank Yellow and depicts the iconic bright yellow concrete staircases present on London’s South Bank as well as abstracting other elements from the surrounding environment – including the unpainted concrete and the beach. Painted in acrylics, it also contains cement dust, sand, and other mixed media with resin. It’s created on a chunky box canvas, framed in black wood, and makes a strong visual statement.
South Bank Artwork for Sale
South Bank
Yellow 4
Abstracts predominantly from the iconic bright yellow concrete staircases present on London’s South Bank. Roughly textured with eye catching holes, they make a striking visual statement. The artwork also represents other element from the surrounding environment – including the unpainted concrete and the beach on the banks of the Thames near the South Bank. Painted in acrylics, it also contains cement dust, sand, and other mixed media with resin. It’s on a chunky box canvas that has a real physical presence. It’s twin – South Bank Yellow 3 – represents the unpainted concrete with similar visuals found around the site.
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Battersea
Much further along the south of The Thames from The Oxo Tower is Battersea Power Station!
This is my representation of Battersea Power Station. The quote “all over Battersea, some hope and some despair” is taken from Morrissey’s song “You’re the One for Me”. I don’t know what was in Morrissey’s head when he wrote the quoted line, but for me it sums up my feelings about the area. Some hope that the much loved and iconic building has been beautifully restored after many years of dilapidation and that its run down surroundings have been rejuvenated. Some despair that its re-development loses some of the sense of the building and doesn’t seem as conducive to social cohesion and a sense of community as it could be. That said, it is a fabulous redevelopment and for all that has been lost, more has been saved.
Painted in acrylics on a chunky box canvas and framed in black wood, it forms a striking centrepiece.
Battersea Artwork for Sale
The Shard
Further east along the South Bank from The Oxo Tower is The Shard!
This is my representation of the Shard. The quote “the street below showered in shards of broken glass” is taken from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds ’ song “(I’ll Love You) Till the End of the World”. The quoted line sums up my feelings about the building. On the one hand, a shining beacon of modern architecture showcasing the optimism of the City of London. On the other hand, it exposes that central London is no longer a melting pot for ordinary people. The streets have become paved with gold.
Created with acrylics on a chunky box canvas and framed in black wood, it is visually striking.
The Shard Artwork for Sale
Waterloo
Waterloo Station and its environs features in this artwork – abstracting from the Station itself, from the London Underground roundel, from Waterloo Bridge, the London Eye, the IMAX cinema, and from the River Thames. They are all depicted bathed in a glorious sunset.
The quotes within it (“look at“, “in paradise“, “Terry meets Julie“, “like flies round“, “cross over“, “gaze on” and “keep rolling, flowing“) are taken from The Kinks song “Waterloo Sunset”.
Painted in oils on canvas, it provides a stunning visual statement.
