Week 2 – Protagonists of the Thames
Exploring the river not just as water, but as a network of beings, movements, and structures — each protagonist a lens on life along the Thames.
Some subjects speak to us before we even attempt to draw them.
I chose a photographer, a hobby close to my own heart, to anchor my work. Photography has always been a way for me to observe and record, to notice the subtle rhythms of place and light. Including it as a protagonist allowed me to reflect my own perspective in the project - the ways in which humans engage with and interpret the river environment, capturing not just its surfaces but its textures, movements and ephemeral moments.
The river teems with beings both animate and mechanical, each shaping its own story.
Alongside the photographer, I selected a shipment ferry, swans, and the tarmac factory. Each represents a different aspect of the Thames’ life: the ferry as a vessel of movement and commerce, the swans as markers of natural presence and continuity, and the factory as a reminder of industrial infrastructure embedded within the landscape. Considering their interactions and relationships allowed me to appreciate the complexity and diversity of life along the river.
When sketched together, the separate becomes a unified narrative.
I decided to depict all four protagonists as a single, conjoined image - one cohesive illustration. This approach highlights the interconnectivity of their existence: humans, animals and machines occupying the same space, influencing and responding to one another. The overlapping forms create a visual conversation, demonstrating that the river is not just a backdrop, but a dynamic system where all elements coexist and interact.