Black and white image of an office featuring a typewriter and telephone, and exposed brickwork
Peter Marlow's office in Narrow Street Limehouse.1982
(Image credit: Peter Marlow)
By Harriet Lloyd Smith
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Opened almost a decade ago in the Victorian throes of an abandoned London power station, the Wapping Project has unequivocally established itself as the multi-purpose creative venue in the East.

This month, Dr Jules Wright – sole founder, owner and keeper of the Wapping Project - unveils the second show to take residence within the Wapping Project Bankside: a brand new South London space dedicated to the exposition of both up-and-coming and established photographic talent.

In suitably capital-centric form, the show features early work by London-based artist and photojournalist Peter Marlow.

Commissioned by the Photographer's Gallery back in 1981 to produce a show built around the subject of ‘London at Night’, Marlow took to the abandoned streets of his pre-Canary Wharf, Isle of Dogs home to capture the industrial forms and derelict spaces with his evocative, long-exposure shots.

Produced by Marlow in his less than roomy flat of the time - the milky, architecturally-inspired images retain the marks of clothes pegs after being hung out to dry in his dark room all those years ago - and with demolished, pre-Wharf landmarks, such as Norman Foster's Fred Olsen Terminal, featuring throughout, the show provides an unexpected insight into the Dockland's less than illustrious beginnings.

Artfully combining Marlow’s astute photojournalistic aesthetic with his distinctive artistic vision, the Wapping Project Bankside’s second show provides an arresting insight into the days before the soaring spires of the Wharf.

Black and white image of the social housing at the time

Social Housing Limehouse. 1982

(Image credit: Peter Marlow)

Black and white image of a train station waiting room, with the door open to the platform

Waiting room at Stepney East Station, 1982

(Image credit: Peter Marlow)

Black and white image of a car parked outside a pub at night

Night shots on the Isle of Dogs in Docklands, 1982

(Image credit: Peter Marlow)

Council estate walkway across West Ferry Road on the Isle of Dogs,1982

Council estate walkway across West Ferry Road on the Isle of Dogs,1982

(Image credit: Peter Marlow)

Swingbridge over the entrance to West India Dock, 1982

Swingbridge over the entrance to West India Dock, 1982

(Image credit: Peter Marlow)

Entrance to wharf off West Ferry Road on the Isle of Dogs, 1982

Entrance to wharf off West Ferry Road on the Isle of Dogs, 1982

(Image credit: Peter Marlow)

Wasteland near Millwall Dock The Isle of Dogs,1982

Wasteland near Millwall Dock The Isle of Dogs,1982

(Image credit: Peter Marlow)

Trees and shrubs in the wasteland

The Isle of Dogs, 1982

(Image credit: Peter Marlow)

View out of an open window onto high-rise social housing

Social Housing, the Isle of Dogs, 1982

(Image credit: Peter Marlow)

Black and white image of an abandoned car

Abandoned car, Isle of Dogs, 1982

(Image credit: Peter Marlow)

ADDRESS

Wapping Project Bankside
65a Hopton Street
London
SE1 9LR

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Harriet Lloyd Smith
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