The Water Conservation Trust has supported the creation of, and following its opening on 5 June, the operation of the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration in Clerkenwell. It is in the old pumping station and works at the end of the New River. The Trustees were very keen to visit the Centre and see how it was using the old buildings as a community hub and exhibition centre. Meeting in the cafe we were greeted by this magnificent 5 by 2 meter mural on the wall by Quentin Blake, A Bridge to the Past (2026).
“The story of the New River goes back a long way. It has a history of supplying water to London, but is was also a source of joy and relaxation for local people.
From 1613, the New River ran from Amwell to here, with bridges along its route. My bridge gave me the opportunity to show figures through the ages in historical costume – the sort of people who might very well have come to benefit from the comforts and refreshment that the river had to offer. Some of them I have invented, but the men fishing are from an 18th century engraving.
Despite the fact that there were watchmen who were meant to prevent them, many young people took the opportunity to swim in the river. I’m not able to define a moment for the swimmers in my drawing; you could say that they have been there for centuries.”
Members of the Trust and friends were welcomed by the staff at the Centre for an introduction and tour. It was a fascinating place with much to see. We learnt about the history of the site and its central role in the provision of drinking water to London. Our Thames Water expert Rob Casey also told us about the neighbouring buildings which used to be owned by the New River Company and the Metropolitan Water Board before the assets were sold off.
We had a fascinating wander round the three galleries in the former waterworks starting with an exhibition on Quentin Blake, the background to his pictures and drawings, and his many books. We then saw a display of the work of the illustrator, artist and designer MURUGIAH known globally for his kaleidoscopic visual world. Finally there was a temporary exhibition, Queer as Comics, which’d traced comics, strip cartoons, graphic novels and zines that have represented LGBTQIA+ perspectives since the 1940s. It is an energetic community hub and great cafe repurposing old and derelict buildings.
The Trustees are very pleased to be supporting the Centre.
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