Madge Gill Nature in Mind

Royal Victoria Dock Borough of Newham The Line | Thomas J Price, Reaching Out The Line Proposed View Background

The Line is London’s first dedicated public art walk. Unveiled in 2015, its outdoor exhibition programme illuminates an inspiring landscape where everyone can explore art, nature and heritage for free. The route runs between Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and The O2, following the waterways and the line of the Greenwich Meridian.

Visitors are able to walk, cycle or run The Line. It is free for everyone and democratizes the presentation of museum- quality contemporary art by removing it from the gallery and bringing it outdoors so that it can be enjoyed by locals, Londoners and visitors to the capital.

There are currently artworks by fourteen artists. Three artworks were unveiled in 2020 during The Line’s fifth anniversary year: Reaching Out by Thomas J Price; Bird Boy by Laura Ford; and Sanko-time, a sound commission, by

Larry Achiampong. There are a number of new installations Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners due to be unveiled during 2021.

The Line draws people away from heavily trafficked roads and on to quiet river paths. It enables contact with nature and art, which can improve wellbeing and reduce stress levels and provides a valuable and unique learning resource. The Line is working with partners, stakeholders and local councils along the route to establish comprehensive outreach programs encompassing learning and education and health and well-being for local communities and visitors.

In 2020, The Line unveiled its new website and digital guide (with the free Bloomberg Connects app) to further encourage exploration of the art, nature and heritage along the route in real life and from afar.

The Line Locations

X QEOP underpass

The House Mill X

Europa Trade Park X

X UKPN bridge B27

Royal Victoria Dock Madge Gill X Madge Gill About Madge Gill

Self-taught artist Madge Gill, born an illegitimate child in 1882 Her artwork would often feature a young woman dressed About Madge Gill in Walthamstow, London, created thousands of meticulous in flowing robes, but never gave any indication of who this Self-taught artist Madge Gill, born an illegitimate child ink drawings during her lifetime. Her inspired works were haunting figure was - perhaps it was her still-born child, the in 1882 in Walthamstow, London, created thousands of meticulous ink drawings during her lifetime. Her inspired often monumental, either in sheer scale or in number. For an spirit ‘Myr Madge Gill At Work ninerest’ or even herself. works were often monumental, either in sheer scale or untutored artist she skilfully explored different techniques in number. For an untutored artist she skilfully explored different techniques and formats: paints, inks, textiles. and formats: paints, inks, textiles. Although relatively unknown at the time she is now considered a prolific and powerful artist. Although relatively unknown at the time she is no considered A disjointed childhood saw her move from Walthamstow, a prolific and powerful artist. to Barkingside and later on to Canada when she was 14, after her family realised they weren’t willing to support her A disjointed childhood saw her move from and placed her in an orphanage. Bernardo’s were then involved in the British Home Child scheme and shipped Gill to Canada Walthamstow, to Barkingside and later on to Canada when for work and a promise of a more wholesome future. Separated she was 14, after her family realised they weren’t willing to from all her family, Madge remained in Canada until October, 1900 before moving back to London and becoming a nurse at support her and placed her in an orphanage. Bernardo’s Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone. A few years later she married her cousin, Tom Gill and the were then involved in the British Home Child scheme and couple went on to have three sons. However, the couple had a difficult marriage and suffered a number of tragedies. shipped Gill to Canada for work and a promise of a more Their second son sadly died in 1918 during the influenza wholesome future. Separated from all her family, Madge pandemic and a year later, Gill gave birth to a stillborn girl. After this fourth pregnancy, Gill’s health quickly deteriorated. remained in Canada until October, 1900 before moving back Coming close to death, she was left with multiple issues including losing her left eye. It was at this time Gill to London and becoming a nurse at Whipps Cross Hospital in began to create her art, which often resulted in a flurry Leytonstone. of seemingly unending drawing activity. This activity, Gill explained, was encouraged by a spirit guide she came A few years later she married her cousin, Tom Gill to embody called Myrninerest. Now living in Newham, Gill instinctively made inspirational, and the couple went on to have three sons. However, the intuitive and beautiful work; drawing in ink and pencil on couple had a difficult marriage and suffered a number of what she could find and construct, from postcards to a giant 25ft calico drawing. She also produced various intricate tragedies. embroideries as well as various pieces of hand-woven clothing. Her artwork would often feature a young woman dressed Their second son sadly died in 1918 during the influenzA in flowing robes, but never gave any indication of who this pandemic and a year later, Gill gave birth to a stillborn girl. haunting figure was - perhaps it was her still-born child, the spirit ‘Myrninerest’ or even herself. Madge Gill At Work After this fourth pregnancy, Gill’s health quickly deteriorated. working on a section of a large pen and ink piece on fabric at Coming close to death, she was left with multiple herMadge home in East Gill Ham in At 1947. Work Photo by Westwood/ issues including losing her left eye. It was at this time Gill Paulworking Popper. Getty on images. a section of a large pen began to create her art, which often resulted in a flurry and ink piece on fabric at her home in of seemingly unending drawing activity. This activity, Gill East Ham in 1947. explained, was encouraged by a spirit guide she came to Photo by Westwood/ Paul Popper. embody called Myrninerest. Getty images. Now living in Newham, Gill instinctively made inspirational, intuitive and beautiful work; drawing in ink and pencil on what she could find and construct, from postcards to a giant 25ft calico drawing. She also produced various intricate embroideries as well as various pieces of hand- woven clothing. Madge Gill Proposal In SpringProposal 2021, Works by Madge Gill in collaboration with The Line, Cody Dock and Newham Council, will be presenting In Spring 2021, Works by Madge Gill in collaboration with MadgeThe Gill’s Line, work Cody through Dock and an Newham array of Council, outdoor will exhibitions. be This willpresenting take the Madge form Gill’sof a serieswork through of bespoke an array ‘billboards’. of outdoor They willexhibitions. be erected This alongwill take the the route form of of The a series Line, of joining bespoke Queen‘billboards’. Elizabeth TheyOlympic will be Park erected to the along Royal the Docks route inof Newham. TheLocated Line, joining in the Queen borough Elizabeth where Olympic Madge Park Gill to lived the Royal Docks in Newham. and producedLocated the in majoritythe borough of her where work, Madge it will Gill be lived a landmark and opportunityproduced to sharethe majority and celebrate of her work, her it life will with be a thelandmark local communityopportunity while to attracting share and new celebrate visitors her to life the with area, the local displayingcommunity the extraordinary while attracting artwork new visitors she created to the area, in the borough.displaying Simultaneously the extraordinary the billboards artwork she would created help in to the borough. Simultaneously the billboards would help to guide people from the DLR and away from the main road, guide people from the DLR and away from the main road, encouragingencouraging the localthe local community community and and visitors visitors to to access access The Line,The Line,a free a culturalfree cultural resource resource and and urban urban wilderness. wilderness. This projectThis project would would form form part part of The of The Line’s Line’s 2021 2021 programme focussingprogramme on Learning focussing and on Participation Learning and andParticipation Health and and WellbeingHealth as and well Wellbeing as revealing as well local as revealing history andlocal heritage history and heritage through new projects and commissions through new projects and commissions London Borough of Newham Heritage and Archives are Londonsupporting Borough the project of Newham by providing Heritage a series and of Archives are supportinghigh quality the images project to be by digitally providing reproduced a series fromof high their qualityunique images collection to be digitally of Madge reproduced Gill’s art which from was their created unique in collectionthe borough. of Madge The Gill’s works art displayed which was in the created exhibition in the borough.spaces The will works be changed displayed and inreprinted the exhibition every year, spaces after will be launching the project with Gill, the exhibition will offer a changedcreative and spacereprinted to celebrate every year, the localafter heritage launching of thethe project with Gill,area, the displaying exhibition both will contemporary offer a creative local spaceartists toand celebrate the localhistorical heritage displays. of the area, displaying both contemporary local artistsGill wasand known historical to display displays. her largest works outside in the Gillgarden was to known see them to display in their herentirety, largest and works would outsideoften Madge Gill Displays Her Work reference flora and fauna in her work, once stating ‘If I English artist Madge Gill (Maude in the garden to see them in their entirety, and would often were a man I would have gone abroad and studied Ethel Eades, 1882 - 1961) hang- reference flora and fauna in her work, once stating ‘If I were ing one of her artworks in the botany’. To connect the community with the artwork and garden of her home in Plashet a manthe I would evolving have public gone gardens abroad at andCody studied Dock, creative botany’. To Grove, East Ham, London, 19th August 1947. The 1.8 by 11 metre connectworkshops the community will be led with by local the artists.artwork and the evolving piece in coloured inks on calico public gardens at Cody Dock, creative workshops will be led is Gill’s largest work to date and has never before been shown by local artists. in its entirety. (Photo by West- wood/Paul Popper/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images) The Line | Madge Gill , Borough of Newham Description of Site Royal Victoria Dock

Royal Victoria Dock is part of the largest enclosed docks in the UK, promising to deliver up to 25,000 new homes and Royal Victoria Dock is connected both locally and the world. This part of Newham was once a global centre 60,000 jobs and over £8bn of investment within the next internationally; it is well-served by the DLR, Emirates Air of innovation and industry, importing and exporting goods twenty years. Line cable car and London City Airport, and City Hall will be and services worldwide. The birthplace of Tate & Lyle’s first relocating to the area later in 2021. sugar cube, Britain’s first flyover and London’s most central At thirteen metres deep, and with 250 acres of water and airport, it has long been a test bed for the newest ideas and almost twelve miles of waterfront, the Royal Docks cover Inbetween the TFL kiosk and the Emirates Air Line terminal is thinking. an area the size of central London. Through the Royal a an area between two avenues of trees, bordered by seating Docks Management Authority Limited (RoDMA) and the on the south side. It acts as both a thoroughfare to pedestrians Having declined in the early 1980s when the Docks closed, Royal Docks Team, the regeneration of the Royal Docks - and a place to stop and rest. Here, The Line intends to site three today the Royal Docks is home to London’s only Enterprise as well as the reactivation of the water and waterfront - is double-sided ‘billboards’, creating a tree-lined contemplative Zone and one of the most significant regeneration projects in evidenced through cultural, sporting and family activities, outdoor gallery space next to the water. including The Line.

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners The Line | Madge Gill , Borough of Newham Madge Gill Artwork Description5. Emirates Air Line

Image reference number (from left to right) MadgeGill2012-845 MadgeGill2012-3 MadgeGill2012-837

Untitled Image reference number (from left to right) c1930-1954 MadgeGill2012-1180 Ink and watercolour on card MadgeGill2012-857 - original artwork dims 500x615mm London Borough MadgeGill2012-859 of Newham Archives

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners The Line | Madge Gill , Borough of Newham Location Plan N 1:1250 @ A4

Madge Gill Artworks

Floor mounted Signage

Landowner: GLA - to be demised to the Emirates Air Line cable car in a future lease.

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners The Line | Madge Gill , Borough of Newham Site Plan N 1:200 @ A4

Madge Gill Artworks

Floor mounted Signage

Landowner: GLA - to be demised to the Emirates Air Line cable car in a future lease.

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners The Line | Madge Gill , Borough of Newham Existing Plan

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners The Line | Madge Gill , Borough of Newham Proposed Plan

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners The Line | Madge Gill , Borough of Newham Existing Elevation West View

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners The Line | Madge Gill , Borough of Newham Proposed Elevation West View

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners The Line | Madge Gill , Borough of Newham Existing Elevation South View

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners The Line | Madge Gill , Borough of Newham Proposed Elevation South View

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners 5. Royal Victoria Dock

The Line | Madge Gill , Borough of Newham Existing View South View

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners 5. Royal Victoria Dock

The Line | Madge Gill , Borough of Newham Proposed View South View

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ISSUE DATE NOTES APP 337 A 24/04/2014 For Approval 10 THRU 305 B 11/05/2014 A

Artwork Info Plaque

195 163 - direct to media print to matt white 3mm aluminium pane with over layer of matt UV stable lacquer - 215 x 483mm

275 124 215

B 483

C 1650 D 1775

Framework - double powder coated to specified colour E - 25 x 25mm x 3mm square section - 10mm gusseted base plate

Endpoint TITLE The Line - Square Sign - 25mm x 25mm Brands applied MATERIAL N/A SHRINKAGE N/A 165 Tower Bridge Road FFL London SE1 3LW Tel: 020 7089 2670 FINISH N/A GENERAL WALL N/A GENERAL DRAFT N/A Fax: 020 7089 2671 F www.endpoint.co.uk DRAWN BY N.Kite CHECKED SCALE N/A THIS DRAWING IS NOT ENDPOINT LTD. THIRD ANGLE TOLERANCES ALL DIMENSIONS IN mm

10 TO BE USED FOR CONFIDENTIAL: PROJECTION UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED MANUFACTURE UNAUTHORISED COPYING, WITHOUT DISCUSSION & 0 0.5 THE EXPRESS WRITTEN DISTRIBUTION 0.0 0.1 DRG No. 7999 - TFL25 - B APPROVAL OF CLIENT PROHIBITED 0.00 0.05

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ISSUE DATE NOTES APP 337 A 24/04/2014 For Approval 10 THRU 305 B 11/05/2014 A

Artwork Info Plaque

195 163 - direct to media print to matt white 3mm aluminium pane with over layer of matt UV stable lacquer - 215 x 483mm

275 124 215

B 483

C 1650 D 1775

Framework - double powder coated to specified colour E - 25 x 25mm x 3mm square section - 10mm gusseted base plate

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners 5. Royal Victoria Dock

The Line | Madge Gill , Borough of Newham Existing View North View

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners 5. Royal Victoria Dock The Line | Madge Gill , Borough of Newham Proposed View North View

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ISSUE DATE NOTES APP 337 A 24/04/2014 For Approval 10 THRU 305 B 11/05/2014 A

Artwork Info Plaque

195 163 - direct to media print to matt white 3mm aluminium pane with over layer of matt UV stable lacquer - 215 x 483mm

275 124 215

B 483

C 1650 D 1775

Framework - double powder coated to specified colour E - 25 x 25mm x 3mm square section - 10mm gusseted base plate

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ISSUE DATE NOTES APP 337 A 24/04/2014 For Approval 10 THRU 305 B 11/05/2014 A

Artwork Info Plaque

195 163 - direct to media print to matt white 3mm aluminium pane with over layer of matt UV stable lacquer - 215 x 483mm

275 124 215

B 483

C 1650 D 1775

Framework - double powder coated to specified colour E - 25 x 25mm x 3mm square section - 10mm gusseted base plate

Installation company GESS have completed a full cat scan of the ground area to ensure location of utilities and are confident that the proposed location will be suited to the installation. They are currently producing engineering calculations and drawings. Based on their findings they will be able to propose a full detailed spec for production and installation but typically, this type of 'billboard' installation is given extended legs which are then buried in the ground - the holes are dug oversize and then filled with concrete before being covered back over with the original top layer - in this case it will be brick-syle paving slabs.

GESS are experienced in producing and installing these billboards. They will provide RAMS and evidence of public and employee liability cover in advance of the installation for approval by The Line, landowner and stakeholders.

Spec:

Three 186 x 229cm double sided Di Bond panels with anti-graffiti laminate securely fixed to galvanised metal framework.

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners The Line | Madge Gill , Borough of Newham Land Registry Title Number

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners The Line | Madge Gill , Borough of Newham Signage Floor Mounted Signage

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners 5. Royal Victoria Dock

The Line | Madge Gill , Borough of Newham Signage Proposed Location

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ISSUE DATE NOTES APP 337 A 24/04/2014 For Approval 10 THRU 305 B 11/05/2014 A

Artwork Info Plaque

195 163 - direct to media print to matt white 3mm aluminium pane with over layer of matt UV stable lacquer - 215 x 483mm

275 124 215

483

C 1650 D 1775 Floor Mounted Signage

Framework - double powder coated to specified colour E - 25 x 25mm x 3mm square section - 10mm gusseted base plate

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ISSUE DATE NOTES APP 337 A 24/04/2014 For Approval 10 THRU 305 B 11/05/2014 A

Artwork Info Plaque

195 163 - direct to media print to matt white 3mm aluminium pane with over layer of matt UV stable lacquer - 215 x 483mm

275 124 215

B 483

C 1650 D 1775

Framework - double powder coated to specified colour E - 25 x 25mm x 3mm square section - 10mm gusseted base plate