‘A lifetime study of home’: Exhibition charts one mans journey through the changing heart of Bankside

For the past 52 years, Joe Mayhook has watched his home transform.

The Bankside artist has lived on the same street, Upper Ground, his entire life. He has watched the area evolve from an overlooked corner of London to a vibrant destination.

Over two decades, Mr Mayhook painted daily, creating a body of work that reflects the spirit and resilience of Bankside.

Now he will exhibit his collection at Southwark Cathedral. BANKSIDE 52 NOT OUT will be open to the public from November 27, 2024, until January 27, 2025.

Mr Mayhook said: “”Living in Bankside for 52 years has been a privilege.

“I’ve seen it all—from a boarded-up, no-taxi zone on the ‘wrong side of the river’ to empty warehouses hosting week-long raves, and now to a bustling food hub and tourist hotspot.

“BANKSIDE 52 NOT OUT isn’t just my story, it’s the story of a neighborhood that’s been loved, forgotten, and revived over and over.”

The exhibition features a curated selection of paintings and prints which include iconic landmarks like Southwark Cathedral and Borough Market, as well as the shifting streets that define Bankside. 

As well as his art, Mr Mayhook is a dedicated community advocate, leading volunteer gardening efforts for Bankside Open Spaces Trust (BOST) to keep SE1 green and thriving. 

BANKSIDE 52 NOT OUT invites visitors to step into the past and present of Bankside to experience a unique mix of tradition and modernity.

Pictured top: Joe Mayhook’s paintings of Bankside which will feature in BANKSIDE 52 NOT OUT (Picture: Joe Mayhook)