In a River a Thousand Streams is a significant new public artwork inaugurated at London Bridge station on 24 July 2024.
The 57-metre mosaic mural, the result of a collaboration between the London School of Mosaic and Adam Nathaniel Furman, explores themes of craft, community, and collaboration.
Images by Gareth Gardner
The title, In a River a Thousand Streams, is a nod to the location and the River Thames, where flows of people converge, entering the city via the bridge and the rail station – one of the oldest and busiest in Europe. Like the flow of a river, the design process behind the mural's construction welcomed numerous small contributions from local people through workshops. Moreover, over 400 school children contributed stories inspired by the artwork to Southwark Heritage Archives, underscoring the integral role of the local community in this project.
Images by Gareth Gardner
Fabricated in the LSoM's Camden school and assembled by 70 dedicated volunteers, In a River a Thousand Streams pays tribute to the enduring appeal of mosaics, and celebrates the inherently collaborative nature of the craft. Mosaics also operate as a larger metaphor for the many people and cultures that come together to shape London.
Images by Gareth Gardner
Over 21 million people are projected to pass by the mural over a year – three times the annual visitors received by the National Gallery. For the commission, it was essential for LSoM and Furman to bring the beauty of mosaics to the largest possible audience, referencing both the public nature of the medium and positioning the craft tradition in a contemporary light.
Dr Silvie Jacobi, Director of the London School of Mosaic, led the project's delivery, securing support from Network Rail, The Arts Council England, Southwark Council, National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Shard, PwC, and London Bridge.
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Press Release
All images by Gareth Gardner
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