“What stories do these stones tell?” I wonder as we gather around Trading Words Art Trail Sculpture. This isn’t just pavement. It’s a journey through London’s dock history.
Trading Words is a typographic trail in Wapping’s London Dock development. It sits in Gauging Square, part of a 7.5-acre public space. This artwork explores historical ledgers of the docks from 1805 to 1968.
Artist Gordon Young created Trading Words. He’s known for large-scale installations like The Comedy Carpet in Blackpool. Young specializes in public art that becomes part of daily life. His passion includes literature and poetry.
Look closely. You’ll find words like “Elephants’ Teeth” and “Lucifer” etched here. “Bear’s Grease” and “Dragon’s Blood” also appear. These weren’t everyday items. They were commodities traded through these very docks.
“Dragon’s Blood” wasn’t for slaying dragons. It treated stomach bugs and varnished instruments. “Bear’s Grease” was a 19th-century hair loss remedy. It was originally made from brown bear fat.
Young drew inspiration from Piet Mondrian’s clarity and Umberto Eco’s lists. He aimed to capture the vastness of goods flowing through London. Every word had value. They represent an immense tide of global trade.
Andrew Taylor of Patel Taylor envisioned a unique installation for London Dock. He wanted to engage people with the site’s rich history. Taylor believed Young would offer a distinctive reading of the place.
Pennington Street Warehouse stands at the heart of London Dock. This Grade II listed building once stored rum and tobacco. It now houses shops, restaurants, and offices. The Rum Factory artists’ studios are also located here.
Trading Words invites us to connect with London’s past. It reminds us that every item has a story. These stones whisper tales of global trade. They reveal the history beneath our feet. As you wander through Trading Words Art Trail Sculpture, consider the countless items that once passed through this historic gateway to London.