Brentford's Historic Routes Feature at Barbican Library
Paintings and ceramics depict the Great West Road and the Thames
Helena Butler, West London Night Scene, crop of original oil painting on canvas
August 8, 2025
A new exhibition titled London: Rivers and Roads will be held at the Barbican Library from 3 to 29 September. The event is free to attend and features recent works by painter Helena Butler and ceramic artist Anna Butler.
Helena Butler, who is based in Brentford, presents over 25 oil paintings that depict the Great West Road and the River Thames. Her semi-abstract landscapes explore the changing light and dramatic tension of these two historic routes into the city. Through the use of bold contrasts and a rich colour palette, the paintings aim to capture the expressive and emotive qualities of both the river and the road.
In addition to the paintings, the exhibition includes a ceramic installation by Anna Butler, a recent graduate of the Royal College of Art. Her work is inspired by the Thames Pilgrim Way and incorporates imagined objects found along a symbolic walk, as well as literary texts by Virginia Woolf and other London writers. The installation invites viewers to reflect on the Thames as both a physical and spiritual journey. Her work includes found objects from the Brentford section of the Thames path
The exhibition also draws attention to the historical significance of the locations featured. The Great West Road was developed in the early 20th century to relieve congestion in Brentford High Street and quickly became a major route into London. It contributed to the area’s growth and is known for its Art Deco architecture along what became known as the "Golden Mile."
Left: Anna Butler The Right Hand of Gregory the Illuminator Wheelthrown stoneware and cast bronze. Right: Anna Butler Thames Ink Wells. Stained Cast and 3D-printed porcelain
The River Thames has long served as a vital route into London, facilitating the movement of people and goods and playing a key role in the development of West London. The Thames Pilgrim Way, a modern interpretation of the river as a sacred path, reflects its historical role as a site of pilgrimage and cultural reverence, celebrated by writers and honoured with offerings since ancient times.
The Barbican Library is located at Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS. Opening hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM; Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM; and Saturday from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
This exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to engage with London’s landscape through artistic interpretation, exploring how its roads and rivers continue to shape the city’s identity and imagination.
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