A collection of seven bronze toilet sculptures has been installed along London's Thames riverside, creating the city's most unconventional public seating arrangement. The unusual art installation, created by acclaimed British artist Richard Wentworth, sits atop the newly constructed "Isle of Effra," a public platform that covers the Vauxhall shaft of the massive Thames Tideway super-sewer project.
The bronze toilet seats are designed to serve a dual purpose as both artistic statement and functional seating, offering visitors scenic views up and down the Thames River. The location choice appears deliberately ironic, as these toilet-shaped seats literally crown what has been dubbed Britain's biggest sewage tunnel. The sculptural installation represents a bold example of site-specific art that directly references its underground context.
Wentworth's creation also pays homage to the area's industrial heritage. The nearby Lambeth riverside once housed the famous Doulton ceramic factory, which manufactured glazed stoneware pipes used throughout London's historic sewer system. This historical connection adds another layer of meaning to the toilet-themed sculptures, linking past and present infrastructure development in the capital.
The artist's choice of bronze as the medium elevates these everyday objects to the status of fine art, while their practical function as seating ensures ongoing public interaction. Visitors can sit on these unusual thrones while contemplating the Thames, creating an experience that blends humor with genuine artistic contemplation. The installation has already drawn attention for its bold approach to public art and its willingness to embrace toilet humor in a high-art context.
The Vauxhall area has developed something of a reputation for unconventional bathroom-related public installations. Train station users are already familiar with the area's "Very Public Urinals," making Wentworth's bronze toilets part of a broader theme of lavatorial public art in this London neighborhood. The proximity to Waterloo station downstream adds another layer of wordplay to the installation's cheeky humor.
This latest addition to London's public art landscape demonstrates how contemporary artists are finding creative ways to engage with major infrastructure projects. By placing artistic toilets above the super-sewer, Wentworth has created a conversation piece that addresses both the practical necessities of urban life and the potential for humor and beauty in unexpected places.
