Tower of London: Public Art by Stephen B Whatley. 2012
A recent photograph of the Tower Hill Underpass, recently renamed the Tower Hill Subway - the main entrance portal, leading from Tower Hill Station to the Tower of London - decorated since 2001 with giant reproductions of the work of British artist Stephen B Whatley (1965-).
The expressionist painter was commissioned by Historic Royal Palaces in December 1999 to undertake the creation of a series of 30 oil paintings detailing the history and iconic symbols of the historic fortress; London's top tourist attraction; ultimately to vibrantly transform the previously dark walkway for decades to come.
Many of the 30 works - created between January and August 2000 - were painted on location around and even within the walls of the Tower of London. The original oil paintings which hang within the Tower range in size from 40 x 30in and 60 x 90in; and shown here, from left are:
'Queen's Guardsman' ; Crown Jewels (1) - one of two paintings of the Crown Jewels, inspired by studies made directly from the priceless jewels, on location in the Jewel House; Panoramic View of The Tower - painted on location from the then BBC studio, used to film river events; and The Interior of The Chapel Royal of St Peter Ad Vincular - inspired by charcoal drawings made on location in the chapel, within the grounds of the Tower.
Stephen B Whatley then regularly oversaw the delicate process of reproducing the vibrance of his paintings onto steel vitreous enamel panels, at Escol Panels in Wellingborough; which was reported as an Apple Colorsync Success story; achieved by the expertise of Typemaker Ltd.
In March 2001 the installation of the panels was unveiled; and a private viewing of the original paintings was given at the Vaults, in the Tower; in celebration.
In June 2004, Stephen B Whatley was presented to HM Queen Elizabeth II & HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, in recognition of his major series of work, at a reception in the Banqueting Hall of the Tower of London - where the original paintings were exhibited - to celebrate 4 years of completion of refurbishment of the Tower & its environs.
The work of Stephen B Whatley is in collections worldwide; & in public collections including the London Transport Museum, the BBC & the Royal Collection of HM Queen Elizabeth II. His press includes The London Times, The Guardian, the New York Times & TIME.
Tower of London: Public Art by Stephen B Whatley. 2012
A recent photograph of the Tower Hill Underpass, recently renamed the Tower Hill Subway - the main entrance portal, leading from Tower Hill Station to the Tower of London - decorated since 2001 with giant reproductions of the work of British artist Stephen B Whatley (1965-).
The expressionist painter was commissioned by Historic Royal Palaces in December 1999 to undertake the creation of a series of 30 oil paintings detailing the history and iconic symbols of the historic fortress; London's top tourist attraction; ultimately to vibrantly transform the previously dark walkway for decades to come.
Many of the 30 works - created between January and August 2000 - were painted on location around and even within the walls of the Tower of London. The original oil paintings which hang within the Tower range in size from 40 x 30in and 60 x 90in; and shown here, from left are:
'Queen's Guardsman' ; Crown Jewels (1) - one of two paintings of the Crown Jewels, inspired by studies made directly from the priceless jewels, on location in the Jewel House; Panoramic View of The Tower - painted on location from the then BBC studio, used to film river events; and The Interior of The Chapel Royal of St Peter Ad Vincular - inspired by charcoal drawings made on location in the chapel, within the grounds of the Tower.
Stephen B Whatley then regularly oversaw the delicate process of reproducing the vibrance of his paintings onto steel vitreous enamel panels, at Escol Panels in Wellingborough; which was reported as an Apple Colorsync Success story; achieved by the expertise of Typemaker Ltd.
In March 2001 the installation of the panels was unveiled; and a private viewing of the original paintings was given at the Vaults, in the Tower; in celebration.
In June 2004, Stephen B Whatley was presented to HM Queen Elizabeth II & HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, in recognition of his major series of work, at a reception in the Banqueting Hall of the Tower of London - where the original paintings were exhibited - to celebrate 4 years of completion of refurbishment of the Tower & its environs.
The work of Stephen B Whatley is in collections worldwide; & in public collections including the London Transport Museum, the BBC & the Royal Collection of HM Queen Elizabeth II. His press includes The London Times, The Guardian, the New York Times & TIME.