Artists Inspired by London: Gayle Chong Kwan

Human waste, the Thames and feral beasts

Gayle Chong Kwan has installed her ‘River Guardians’ as part of the Vital Signs; Another World is Possible exhibition at Science Gallery London. We speak to her about the work and how it ties into London’s history.

Gayle Chong Kwan at the Science Gallery London. Photo: George Torode Photography

Hi Gayle. Tell us about your river guardians at Science Gallery and the sewage-ash coprolite* sculptures hanging below them?

My new work ‘I am the Thames and the Thames is Me’ explores the interconnectedness between humans and the River Thames through printed and dyed fabric and ceramics - as a call to reposition our bodies in historical memory and future action of the waste that we create.

Each totem I have made draws on Bazalgette’s 19th century sewage designs, human waste management, and mythical beasts living in London’s sewers among river pollution and disease, creating a series of fantastical and angry river spirits that are part human, part mythical creature, and part London sewer.

* Coprolite is the term for fossilised faeces

Below the paywall:

• How the use of human waste ties into fashion and London’s history

• The creatures that were believed to live in London’s sewers

• More pictures and details of Gayle’s works