An artist, known as “the chewing gum man,” is pleading for the preservation of his miniature paintings on discarded chewing gum, after being informed that the majority of them will be removed from London’s Millennium Bridge during engineering work. Since 2013, Ben Wilson has been painting on chewing gum stuck to the bridge’s surface.
The Millennium Bridge, which spans the River Thames and connects St Paul’s Cathedral to the Tate Modern, is adorned with countless gum paintings by Wilson. It will be closed for three weeks, starting from October 14th, in order to restore degraded areas and give it a much-needed thorough cleaning, leaving it in pristine condition, according to Giles Shilson, the chair of the City Bridge Foundation.
However, the foundation later stated that a “limited” number of Wilson’s artworks might be saved. The artist estimates that there are approximately 600 of his works on the bridge and expressed his disappointment if fewer than 100 survive.
Wilson, whose gum art has been featured throughout Europe, expressed his devastation over the impending destruction of years’ worth of work. He stated, “Since 2013, I have been transforming discarded rubbish into art on this bridge. I am quite literally taking what is thrown away and turning it into a piece of artwork.”
According to Wilson, his work serves as a form of social commentary, with each piece telling a unique story about people. He draws inspiration from the individuals he encounters daily, including commuters, schoolchildren, locals, and fellow artists. He believes that art does not solely exist within the confines of prestigious galleries like the Tate Modern; it can also be hidden and enchanting.
A spokesperson for the foundation acknowledged that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of pieces of chewing gum on the bridge, including those painted by Ben Wilson and many others that are unpainted. They emphasized the need to ensure the structural integrity of the Millennium Bridge, as it is a prominent London landmark, connecting two popular tourist destinations. Therefore, it is important to remove any dirt and debris, including chewing gum, to maintain a clean and tidy appearance.
However, the foundation recognizes the artistic value of Wilson’s work and the love it receives from the public. In consultation with the artist, they have offered to preserve a limited number of his pieces during the maintenance and cleaning process. They will work together to identify which artworks will be preserved. This compromise allows for both the bridge’s cleaning and maintenance and the continued enjoyment of some of the art created by Ben Wilson.
The bridge will be closed to pedestrians starting at 8am on October 14th, as workers replace the synthetic membrane that separates the bridge’s steel structure from its aluminum surface. According to Shilson, the bridge has experienced wear and tear over the years and is starting to show signs of deterioration. Replacing the separation layer is a time-consuming task, and the closure is necessary to complete the work promptly.
The bridge is scheduled to reopen by November 5th at the latest.
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