A London Reclaimed By Nature

Will Noble
By Will Noble Last edited 79 months ago
A London Reclaimed By Nature

You might find these images from Tom Harper beautiful — you might find them disturbing. It's possible you'll find them a bit of both.

We see the BT Tower, overrun with vines, shrubs and trees. Centre Point has sprung a mighty spruce — either that or one of the residents has bought a whopping great Christmas tree. And is that the world's biggest onion nestling in the background?

The artist tells Londonist: "I've always been a sucker for images of future and imaginary cities. The contrast (tension?) between cities and nature also continues to fascinate — from Ebenezer Howard, right through to the now defunct Garden Bridge."

In another image, Westminster and the north bank of the Thames are ensconced in a fairy tale-like forest. Again, the image is at once comforting and puts us on edge — how did the forest get here... is anyone living in this future London?

"Basically, the experience of living in London with all its bustle and noise and organised chaos," says Harper, "gave me the idea of re-imagining it as a haven of peace and tranquillity.

"Wishful thinking perhaps, from one who lived for a period of time on the route of the South Circular! There's also something about the vulnerability of cities which I was trying to get at."

See more of Tom Harper's work — and purchase it — here. And catch his residency exhibition at the Great North Wood Pub, West Norwood 22 Aug–18 September 2017.

Last Updated 17 August 2017