In a River a Thousand Streams is a major new public artwork due to be unveiled at London Bridge Station on 24 July 2024.
The 57-metre mosaic mural is the result of a collaboration between London School of Mosaic and Adam Nathaniel Furman, and explores themes of craft, community and collaboration.
The title references the location and the River Thames, where flows of people converge, entering the city via the bridge and the rail station – one of the oldest and busiest in Europe.
Akin to the flow of a river, the design process behind the construction of the mural invited many small contributions from local people through workshops. Additionally, over 400 school children contributed stories inspired by the artwork to Southwark Heritage Archives.
Fabricated in the LSoM’s Camden school and assembled by 70 dedicated volunteers, In a River a Thousand Streams pays tribute to the enduring appeal of mosaics, and celebrates the inherently collaborative nature of the craft. Mosaics also operate as a larger metaphor for the many people and cultures that come together to shape London.
Over 21 million people are projected to pass by the mural over the course of a single year – three times the annual visitors received by the National Gallery. For the commission, it was of particular importance to LSoM and Furman to bring the beauty of mosaics to the largest possible audience, referencing both the public nature of the medium while positioning the craft tradition in a contemporary light.
Dr Silvie Jacobi, Director of London School of Mosaic, led the delivery of the project, securing support from Network Rail, The Arts Council England, Southwark Council, National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Shard, PwC and London Bridge.
