I have previously covered the artwork of Ben Wilson, also known as the "bubblegum man" because his artwork is painted in miniature onto squished bubblegum on the pavement. I first encountered him several years ago at Dulwich Arts Festival (Open Day at the Street Art House, Dulwich Arts Festival: Part 1) and also on Millennium Bridge previously (Gum Artwork on Millennium Bridge by 'Chewing Gum Man' Ben Wilson). Millennium Bridge has become a favourite place of his to paint, and I've admired his work each time I have walked on the bridge. The discarded gum takes on different shapes here, moulding itself around the steel walkway.
In addition to the work on the bridge itself, Ben Wilson has also painted on discarded gum on the walkway up to the bridge on the southern side of the river. He typically paints information about the people he comes across, but he also paints what he sees. The below miniature painting is of the Notre Dame in Paris, dedicated to "Sophie".
The above includes several dedications, including a miniature of a person and their dog (Mark and Gizmo), an image of South Bank and buildings along the river, the Tate with the Millennium Bridge in the foreground, St. Paul's Cathedral with the Millennium Bridge, St. Paul's Cathedral at dark, and a dog (dedicated to "Rolo on the Millennium Bridge"). There's also one "for Cathy", and I am not sure what it is, but it could be a mudlarker as the white item looks like an old pipe, a common item found when looking on the Thames foreshore.
Some of the painted gum on the Millennium Bridge is above.
Above appears to be dedicated to the artwork that would be discovered in Tate Modern behind Millennium Bridge on the South Bank.
The above is dedicated to Maya and appears to be a giraffe.
The above appears to be possibly a conservation of energy movement.
Abstract geometric designs make up the above "gumpic".
Lastly, the above is inspired by travel.
Leave a comment