London Met Researcher Explores the Thames Estuary Through Art News

'Into the Zone - Journeys in the Thames Estuary' has been curated by London Met researcher Michael Upton and brings together artists with different visions of the area.

Date: 04 March

A new exhibition at the Beecroft Art Gallery in Southend-on-Sea will offer visitors a fresh perspective on the Thames Estuary, seen through the lens of artists who have walked, swum, and studied its landscapes.

The exhibition, which runs until 11 May, had been curated by Southend-based artist and London Metropolitan University researcher Michael Upton, Into the Zone - Journeys in the Thames Estuary brings together photographers, filmmakers, and artists exploring the estuary’s evolving identity—from its industrial past to its fragile ecosystems and deep personal connections.

"For many, the Thames Estuary is a daily sight—on the commute, during weekend visits, or as part of family history. But it’s always changing," said Michael. "This exhibition brings together artists who have engaged with it in unique ways—walking its shores, swimming in its waters, and documenting its landscapes—to reveal new ways of seeing a familiar place."

Visitors are also encouraged to share their own experiences of this ever-changing landscape.

What’s on Display?

• Photography capturing the estuary’s transformation, from abandoned industrial sites to wild coastal areas.
• Personal journeys along the estuary’s banks, documented through photography and printmaking.
• Works exploring the impact of climate change on the estuary’s ecosystems.
• A short film of a live performance staged in the estuary’s intertidal zone.

Supported by the East London Photographer’s Archive (ELPA) at Bishopsgate Institute, the exhibition features work by photographers and artists including London Met researcher Michael Upton, alongside David George, Mike Seaborne, Anna Kroeger, Ian Tokelove, Mark Taylor, Anna Lukala, Gerolamo Gnecchi, Sylak Ravenspine, and Arbonauts.

For more details, visit www.southendmuseums.co.uk/beecroft or contact Michael Upton at m.upton@londonmet.ac.uk.