List of public art in the London Borough of Southwark facts for kids

Welcome to a guide about the amazing public art you can find in the London Borough of Southwark! Public art means sculptures, murals, and other artworks that are out in the open for everyone to see and enjoy. Southwark is a part of London with a rich history, and its public art tells many stories about the area, its people, and important events.

From modern sculptures to old memorials, these artworks add beauty and character to the streets, parks, and buildings. They help us remember the past, celebrate creativity, and make our surroundings more interesting. Let's explore some of the cool art pieces hidden around Southwark!

Exploring Public Art in Southwark

Bankside's Artistic Treasures

Bankside is a lively area known for its art and culture. Here, you'll find some impressive public artworks.

• Poured Lines (2006): This huge painting on Southwark Street was created by Ian Davenport. It's known as the largest outdoor painting in Britain. Imagine how much paint that took!

• Monument to the Unknown Artist (2007): Located on Sumner Street, this unique piece by greyworld is an animatronic statue. It's a fun and thought-provoking artwork that celebrates artists who might not be famous.

• A Family in Residence (2012): You can find this group of sculptures by Ivan Murray at Neo Bankside. It shows a family, adding a touch of everyday life to the urban landscape.

Bermondsey's Historical Artworks

Bermondsey has a mix of old and new art, often linked to its history.

• Memorial to James Braidwood (1862): On Tooley Street, this relief sculpture remembers James Braidwood, a brave firefighter. It's a tribute to his important work.

• Statue of Samuel Bourne Bevington (1910): Also on Tooley Street, this statue by Sydney March honors Samuel Bourne Bevington. It has a special protected status, called Grade II listed, meaning it's historically important.

• St John Horsleydown War Memorial (around 1920): This crucifix memorial is in St John's Churchyard. It remembers those who served in wars and is also Grade II listed.

• Bermondsey and Rotherhithe War Memorial (1921): Found on West Lane, this memorial column was unveiled in October 1921. It's another Grade II listed site, honoring local heroes.

• 22nd Battalion London Regiment (The Queen's) War Memorial (1921): This war memorial on Old Jamaica Road was unveiled in November 1921. It's also a Grade II listed structure.

• Bust of Ernest Bevin (1955): On Tooley Street, this bust of Ernest Bevin was created by Ernest Shone-Jones. It pays tribute to an important figure.

• Lady with a Greyhound (1962): This sculpture by Antony Weller is located in Avondale Square. It's a charming piece depicting a woman with her dog.

• Jacob' – The Circle Dray Horse (1987): Shirley Pace created this statue at The Circle, Queen Elizabeth Street. It reminds us of the breweries that used to be in the area, where horses like Jacob helped with deliveries. It's Grade II listed.

• The Navigators (1987): You can see this sculpture by David Kemp in Hay's Galleria. It's a striking piece that captures attention.

• Waterfall (1991): This fountain with a sculpture by Antony Donaldson is in Horselydown Square. It adds a peaceful, flowing element to the public space.

• Exotic Cargo (1995): Peter Randall-Page created this sculpture near St Saviour's Dock footbridge. It's an interesting piece that makes you think about what "exotic cargo" might be.

• A Last Parting Look (for C.D.) (2006): This installation by Joseph Kosuth at 22 Leathermarket Street features a quote from Charles Dickens's novel The Pickwick Papers. It connects the area to famous literature.

• The Bermondsey Lion (2011): Kevin Boys created this sculpture at The Blue. It's a proud symbol for the Bermondsey area.

• Dr Salter's Daydream (2014): In Cherry Gardens, these sculptures by Diane Gorvin honor Alfred Salter. The original statues were stolen, but new ones were created, including a figure of Salter's wife, Ada.

• Memorial to Albert Edward McKenzie (2015): This sculpture by Kevin Boys and Tim Wood is on Tower Bridge Road. It commemorates Albert Edward McKenzie, a local hero.

• Cornerstone (2020): You can find this sculpture by Austin Emery in Tanner Street Park. It's a modern piece that adds to the park's appeal.

• Mandela Way T-34 Tank: This real tank is located on Mandela Way. It's a very unusual and striking piece of public art.

Camberwell's Artistic Heritage

Camberwell is home to several historical and artistic landmarks.

• Statue of Robert Bentley Todd (1863): This statue by Matthew Noble is at King's College Hospital on Denmark Hill. It honors a significant medical figure.

• Camberwell Beauty butterfly (20th century): On a wall of Superdrug on Denmark Hill, this tile mural features the beautiful Camberwell Beauty butterfly.

• Camberwell Beauty butterfly (around 1920): Another tile mural of the Camberwell Beauty butterfly is on Wells Way. This butterfly was once the logo for a local stationery company. It's a Grade II listed artwork.

• Burgess Park War Memorial (1920): This statue by Arild Rosenkrantz is at 55 Wells Way. It was unveiled in September 1920 and is a Grade II listed memorial.

• 1st Surrey Rifles War Memorial (1921): In St Giles's churchyard, this memorial cross remembers the 1st Surrey Rifles. It was unveiled in November 1921 and is Grade II listed.

• Statue of William Booth (1929): Outside the William Booth Memorial Training College, this statue by George Edward Wade honors William Booth, who founded the Salvation Army. It's a Grade II listed statue.

• Statue of Catherine Booth (1929): Also outside the William Booth Memorial Training College, this statue by George Edward Wade honors Catherine Booth, co-founder of the Salvation Army. It's also Grade II listed.

• Memorial to Damilola Taylor (2001–2002): This sculpture by Alexandra Brooke is at Oliver Goldsmith Primary School. It's a tribute to Damilola Taylor.

• Run (2009): These sculptures by Leigh Dyer are located on Denmark Hill. They depict wolves in motion, adding a dynamic feel to the area.

Dulwich's Commemorative Art

Dulwich features several war memorials and unique sculptures.

• St Peter's Church War Memorial (after 1918): In St Peter's churchyard on Lordship Lane, this rectangular pillar with a flagpole is a Grade II listed war memorial.

• St Stephen's Church War Memorial (after 1918): This Celtic cross memorial is in St Stephen's churchyard on College Road. It's also Grade II listed.

• Dulwich College War Memorial (1920; 1990): Located at Dulwich College, this memorial cross with stelae was unveiled in 1921. It's a Grade II listed site.

• Southwark Military Hospital War Memorial (1920; 2009): This memorial cross at the former Dulwich Hospital was restored and reinstalled in 2009. It's a Grade II listed site.

• Dulwich Old College War Memorial (1921): This memorial cross is at Dulwich Old College. It's a Grade II listed structure.

• Memorial to Edward Alleyn (2005): Louise Simson created this sculptural group at Dulwich Old College. It honors Edward Alleyn, a famous actor and founder of Dulwich College.

• Walking the Dog (2009): This sculpture by Peter Randall-Page is at the Dulwich Picture Gallery. It was given to the gallery to celebrate its 200th anniversary.

• Three Perpetual Chords (2015): You can find this sculpture by Conrad Shawcross in Dulwich Park. It's a modern and interesting addition to the park.

Elephant and Castle's Iconic Pieces

The Elephant and Castle area has some well-known public art.

• Elephant and Castle (1898): This sculpture at Elephant and Castle gives the area its famous name. It's a classic landmark.

• Borough of Southwark World War II Memorial (1949): These tablets are at Walworth Town Hall on Walworth Road. They were unveiled in 1949 and are Grade II listed.

• Michael Faraday Memorial (1959–1961): This sculpture by Rodney Gordon is on the Elephant and Castle roundabout. It honors Michael Faraday, a famous scientist, and is Grade II listed.

• Southwark Memorial (2018): This sculpture by Kenny Hunter is in Walworth Square. It's a newer memorial for the area.

• Big King: This architectural sculpture by Glenn Hellman is at Morley College. It's built into the building itself.

Kennington's Unique Artworks

Kennington offers a mix of modern and historical art.

• Two Piece Reclining Figure No. 3 (1961): This sculpture by Henry Moore is at the Brandon Estate. Henry Moore is a very famous sculptor, and this piece is a great example of his work.

• Segment of the Berlin Wall: In Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park, you can see a piece of the historic Berlin Wall. It has graffiti by an artist known as "Indiano." This is a powerful reminder of history.

• Soviet War Memorial (1999): Also in Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park, this sculpture by Sergei Shcherbakov and Garry Breeze was unveiled on Victory Day in 1999. It commemorates Soviet soldiers.

Newington's Ancient and Modern Art

Newington has some truly ancient art pieces.

• Statue of Alfred the Great (Late 1st – early 2nd century, with early 19th century additions): This statue in Trinity Church Square is incredibly old! The bottom part is a remnant of a huge Roman statue, possibly of the goddess Minerva. The top part was added much later. It's a Grade II listed piece.

• The Black Friar (1958): This relief sculpture by Edward Bainbridge Copnall is on Friars House, Blackfriars Road. It refers to the historical Blackfriars monastery.

Peckham's Public Art

Peckham features vibrant murals and modern sculptures.

• History of the Old Kent Road (1964): This ceramic mural by Adam Kossowski is on the Everlasting Arms Ministries building (formerly the North Peckham Civic Centre) on Old Kent Road. It tells the story of the road and is Grade II listed.

• Peckham Arch (1994): This canopy with light art by Ron Haselden and John McAslan is in Peckham Square. It's a modern and eye-catching landmark.

• Arrows and Obelisks (1995): These kinetic sculptures by Peter Logan are at Tesco on Old Kent Road. "Kinetic" means they move, making them very interesting to watch.

Rotherhithe's Maritime and Historical Art

Rotherhithe has art that reflects its strong connection to the river and its past.

• Bluecoat Boy and Girl statues (after 1700): These statues are on the façade of 70 St Marychurch Street, near St Mary's Church. They are Grade II listed.

• Two caryatides (1897): These sculptures by Henry Poole are now freestanding in Southwark Park. They originally decorated the entrance of Rotherhithe Town Hall, which was destroyed during World War II.

• Holy Trinity Church War Memorial (after 1918): This cross atop a pillar is in Holy Trinity churchyard. It's a Grade II listed memorial.

• St Mary's Church War Memorial (after 1918): This memorial cross is in St Mary's churchyard. It's also a Grade II listed site.

• Norwegian Seamen's War Memorial (1927): Located at St Olav's Church, this war memorial is Grade II listed. It honors Norwegian sailors.

• Curlicue (1989): This sculpture by William Pye is in Greenland Dock. It's a modern and abstract piece.

• Bust of James Walker (1990): This bust by Michael Rizzello is also in Greenland Dock. It honors James Walker, an important engineer.

• Deal Porters (1990): This sculptural group by Philip Bews is at Canada Water. It was unveiled in 1990 and celebrates the hard work of "deal porters," who used to unload timber.

• Sunshine Weekly and the Pilgrim's Pocket (1991): This sculptural group by Peter McLean is at Cumberland Wharf. It's a whimsical and interesting piece.

• Memorial to Christopher Jones (1995): This sculptural group by Jamie Sargeant is in St Mary's churchyard. It remembers Christopher Jones, captain of the Mayflower.

• Sustrans Portrait Bench (2013): In Greenland Dock, this sculpture depicts famous people connected to the area, like Phyllis Pearsall (who created the London A-Z map), actor Michael Caine, and cyclist Barry Mason.

Southwark's Diverse Public Art

Southwark, the heart of the borough, has a wide range of public art.

• Royal Arms of George III (around 1728): This architectural sculpture is on the façade of the King's Arms pub on Newcomen Street. It originally stood on a gateway of the old London Bridge. It's a Grade II listed piece.

• Statue of Thomas Guy (1734): This statue by Peter Scheemakers is at Guy's Hospital. It honors Thomas Guy, who founded the hospital, and is Grade II listed.

• The Sower (1896): This mosaic in Red Cross Garden is based on a work by Louisa Beresford, Marchioness of Waterford. It's a beautiful and meaningful artwork, Grade II listed.

• Plaque marking the approximate site of the Globe Theatre (1909): This plaque with a relief by Édouard Lantéri is on Park Street. It shows where William Shakespeare's famous Globe Theatre once stood.

• Guy's Hospital War Memorial (1921): This memorial arch at Guy's Hospital was unveiled in 1921. It's a Grade II listed structure.

• London, Brighton and South Coast Railway War Memorial (1921): These plaques are at London Bridge station. They were unveiled in 1921.

• London Hop Trade War Memorial (1922): This plaque by Omar Ramsden is on Borough High Street. It was unveiled in 1922.

• St Saviour's War Memorial (1922): This statue by Philip Lindsey Clark is on Borough High Street. It was unveiled in 1922 and has a very high protected status, Grade II*.

• Statue of William Morris, 1st Viscount Nuffield (1949): This statue by Maurice Lambert is at Guy's Hospital. It honors William Morris, 1st Viscount Nuffield, a famous car manufacturer and philanthropist.

• Minerva (1966): This statue by Alan Collins is in Southwark Cathedral. Minerva is a Roman goddess of wisdom and war.

• The Holy Family (1981): This sculptural group by Kenneth Hughes is on Cathedral Street.

• Opus (1982–1983): This sculpture by Wendy Taylor is at the Nancy Sear Building, Morley College.

• Southwark Gateway Needle (1999): This sculpture by Eric Parry is at the south end of London Bridge. It's a striking modern landmark.

• Couple (2003): These statues by Stephan Balkenhol are in More London Place. They are simple yet thought-provoking figures.

• Full Stop (2003): These sculptures by Fiona Banner are also in More London. They look like giant punctuation marks!

• Evergreen (2003): This sculpture by David Batchelor is on The Queen's Walk in More London. It's a colorful and vibrant piece.

• Memorial to Mahomet Weyonomon (2006): This sculpture by Peter Randall-Page is in the churchyard of Southwark Cathedral. It was unveiled by Elizabeth II and remembers Mahomet Weyonomon, a Native American leader who visited London in the 1730s.

• Blue Men (2007): These architectural sculptures by Ofra Zimbalista are on Maya House, Borough High Street. They are blue figures integrated into the building.

• Statue of John Keats (2007): This statue by Stuart Williamson is at Guy's Hospital. It honors John Keats, a famous poet who studied medicine there.

• Statue of Simon Milton (2016): This statue by Philip Jackson is outside One Tower Bridge. It honors Simon Milton, a politician.

• Corten Head (2017): This sculpture by Sokari Douglas Camp is at the Africa Centre on Great Suffolk Street. It's a striking piece representing an African head.

• Blue Moon (2019): This sculpture by Joe Rush and the Mutoid Waste Company is at Vinegar Yard. It features a train carriage with giant ants made from recycled metal crawling over it – very cool and unique!

See also

• National Covid Memorial Wall