Lost Springs, Coming Spring

(2021)

Lost Springs, Coming Spring is an illustration created during the New River Residency at the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration. This work visually reconnects the past and present of the historic site New River Head in London, a key water supply hub since the 17th century. I sketched the site with a particular interest in its boundaries and elusive spaces, and later delved into archives, uncovering photographic ghosts and original texts, merging memories of workers and events from its history. The resulting piece intertwines archaeological and archival impressions, reimagining the site’s history and present as one continuous narrative. See video at the website.

‘In this epic illustration, the past meets the present. This site’s derelict buildings are animated by moments from its 400-year history. Yuan visited New River Head to draw its silent spaces and abandoned machinery. Her drawings are populated by scenes she found in archived photographs and documents.’ ——Olivia Ahmad, Art Director, Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration