I’ve won a commission to produce artworks for 4 lobbies in the new Timberyard buildings on Grove street, Deptford. I am delighted to bring my local knowledge to this project – and I am involving the community in researching Deptford figures past and present.
Working for a large corporation is a world away from doing your own thing as an artist, there are lots of hurdles and demands, sometimes I feel like a very small cog in a big wheel, but I am rising to the challenge. I love the thought that new residents will walk past a slice of Deptford history when they leave the building to head off to work in the City etc.
My proposal included wood collages, paintings, photo collages and huge cyanotypes. So I have my work cut out! Here are some of my activities so far.
Cutting backing boards in the shape of the Thames 
Coppiced logs sourced from Kent 
Sanding log slices 
Prototype. Had to go smaller after weight restriction imposed. 
Deptford past & present 
Painting and collaging 
History reseach with stalwarts of Deptford 
Help from the John Evelyn Garden 
Collecting fallen branches after the storm 
Rinsing a branch cyanotype 
This branch was ripped off by a lorry I reckon 
Carried a huge branch on the train! 
Testing paper I coated 
Good results! 
Photographing the river 
Battling with periodic sun, shade and rain for this winter project
Sarah Garrod 