Soup

Soup -

A five-part artwork based on the iconic Campbell’s soup designs produced as vitreous enamel signs, mounted to the wall.

In keeping with recent refurbishment works at Kings Lynn Station, the 5-panelled artwork on the disused platform evokes the aesthetic and feel of late 19th C enamel advertising signs. The artwork is a strong visual element to be enjoyed by passengers on the opposite platform. The use of vitreous enamel creates strong colours that will last in an outdoor environment long past its initial 10 year lifespan. While being contemporary in style, the materials are entirely in keeping with the listed building status of the station.

Historical context:

From 1959 to 2007 Campbell’s Condensed Soup was produced in Kings Lynn. The company building its first factory outside of the US in the town and quickly became a major employer in the town. From the early 1980’s until the end of the century the railway wagons used to transport the goods from the factory were decorated in their distinctive branding and were one of only a few private ownership liveried wagons on the network at the time and a common sight seen from trains in and out of Kings Lynn Station.

King’s Lynn Station is a grade II listed building dating from 1871 and extensively restored in 2012. From its construction until the 1950’s enamel advertising panels were a distinctive feature of all railway stations in the UK. Wall space being sold to the advertiser many signs remained in place for decades.

Design process:

The site is on a rarely used platform at the station. Separated by two current tracks and the space for a now disused third track the viewing distance from the public platform is approximately 20 metres. The artwork needs to be clearly visible at that viewing distance. Any small text would be illegible.

The artwork is seen against the local yellow brick wall and is in shade for most of the day. The current Great Eastern Railway colour scheme of the station - blue and white - was also taken into consideration. Brilliant whites were avoided as they would clash with the overall white paint scheme on the station ironwork. The predominant colour in the artwork is a deep crimson lake. Partly to avoid a primary colour feel to the platform against the blues and white, but also to take advantage of the richness and depth of colour achieved by the vitreous enamel process. A maximum of our colours are used for uniformity and to reduce cost.

The artwork is deliberately abstract and conjures up references to the iconic Cambells soup design without replicating it. Despite its ambiguity, some may wish to find references to Kings Lynn in the use of the fleur-de-lys and the congregation of them beneath the main scroll seen as the town beside the Ouse. The horizontal line is reminiscent of the fen landscape with a rising sun placing the town in the east. But all these are accidental and other interpretations are just as valid.

The artwork is designed for longevity as is fitting for a listed building. The vitreous enamel panels are consistent with a building of its age and will easily last in excess of 100 years. The enamel finish adds a depth and quality to the final artwork that looks and feels solid with a timeless aesthetic.

Materials:

The artwork is in five panels of different sizes. Each panel is four colour vitreous enamel on 1.5mm steel plate. The back of the steel plate is sealed in black to protect against corrosion.

Maintenance:

Vitreous enamel is made by baking a glass-based coating in a furnace. This results in an extremely durable product with a high gloss finish. The panels are expected to require minimal to no maintenance and have a lifespan in excess of 100 years. The colours are rich and will not fade over time. Any cleaning can be carried out by washing the surface with water.

‘Belltower’ was commissioned by Groundworks East on behalf of Govia Thameslink Railways