Stephen Walter is currently showing a new series of works entitled ‘The Island: London Series’ at Exposure Gallery in collaboration with TAG Fine Arts.  The works are a set of intricately drawn maps that, individually, depict one of London’s thirty-three boroughs and, collectively, form an overwhelmingly detailed representation of the entire city as a single island.  Taking two years to complete the series, Walter transforms a dry overview of London’s transport network and structures into a complex account of the city that explores the hyper-local and highly personal nature of the urban environment.

Every part of the scaled maps is annotated and spliced with facts, gossip, tales and personal insights relating specifically to the area over which they are written.  Gleaned from a wide range of sources, these tiny, almost illegible, written notes provide layers of history, contemporary social commentary and information that strip the maps of their usual function. Instead, the viewer is prompted lose oneself within a complex network and narrative and view the city from a variety of alternative perspectives.

Stephen Walter’s works are on show at Exposure Gallery (22-23 Little Portland Street, London, W1W 8BU) until 2 March 2010.

A selection of works by Stephen Walter are available through ArtLab, all of which can be found on his artist’s page.

Image: Stephen Walter, Westminster (detail).  Copyright: Stephen Walter.  Courtesy: Stephen Walter and TAG Fine Arts.