Cable bridges host iconic art
Posted by: user_amy 2nd June 2026
Electricity cable bridges across an East London river, that supply power to thousands of Tower Hamlets residents, have become an unlikely canvas for monumental works of art.
Two cable bridges that cross the River Lea between Newham and Tower Hamlets are hosting works of art by the visionary Madge Gill and Turner Prize-winning Helen Cammock.
UK Power Networks has collaborated with The Line, East London’s public art trail which exhibits works of art along a five-mile route between Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park at Stratford and The O2 at North Greenwich. It follows the waterways and the line of the Greenwich Meridian, bringing art, nature, culture and heritage to life for free.
The electricity firm assisted the original Madge Gill bridge installation in 2021 and has now helped fund a new iteration of Madge Gill’s work on the 60-metre-long bridge at Cody Dock.
Madge Gill (1882-1961), who lived and worked in Newham from 1920 to 1961, is said to be one of the world’s most highly regarded self-taught artists, and her work has recently been acquired by the National Portrait Gallery and Tate.
The bridge installation is part of ‘Madge Gill: Nature in Mind’ The Line’s multi-site exhibition that showcases monumental installations in Newham. The exhibition, which was curated by The Line with Sophie Dutton and in collaboration with Newham Council, currently features reproductions of 13 drawings from the council’s unique collection of over 1,200 works by the artist, which she created while living in the borough.
Over the course of five days, large cranes installed the Madge Gill artwork so that people can enjoy it for years to come.
Further along the scenic river walk, another UK Power Networks cable bridge hosts Helen Cammock’s ‘On WindTides’, a large-scale text installation that explores themes of movement, migration and change. The work was developed in 2024 in collaboration with local people and in relation to the surrounding area, its heritage and diverse communities.
Luke Hughes, head of asset management for London at UK Power Networks said: “Our cable bridges are vital pieces of infrastructure, carrying electricity across the River Lea to keep homes and businesses in East London powered every day.
“We’re really pleased that, through close collaboration with The Line, these structures can also play a part in celebrating the area’s rich cultural heritage. Supporting the installation of these artworks shows how essential infrastructure can sit sensitively within the community, adding value for local people while continuing to operate safely and reliably.”
Sarah Carrington, The Line’s director, said: “We are thrilled to have UK Power Networks’ support to renew this important work by Madge Gill for visitors and the community in East London to enjoy for years to come.
“Madge Gill’s work is an emblem of the creative spirit triumphing over adversity and the power of art to transform lives. It is a landmark work on the route of The Line providing a springboard for outdoor learning, skills development and enhanced wellbeing.”
