Along Britain’s sea coasts, an iconic summertime scene unfolds in outdoor pools known as lidos, where the swimming area is often built right into the beach. Some are more developed with fresh water, chlorinated like indoor pools, while others may be less formal, with the tides pushing saltwater over low walls.
The tradition is closely related to another beloved pastime, “wild swimming,” where enthusiasts take a dip in lakes, rivers, and seashores. It’s often social, further benefiting people’s mental and physical wellbeing, and wild swimming clubs have become increasingly popular. For British artist Tarka Kings, the routine of these timeless recreational attractions lays the groundwork for a series of intimate drawings.
“Swans” (2024), graphite and colored pencil on gesso panel, 26 x 26 centimeters. Photo by Matthew Hollow
Mornings at the Lido, the artist’s recent solo exhibition at Offer Waterman, highlights Kings’ use of graphite and colored pencil to create quiet, pensive, and relatable compositions. From getting dressed in a changing room to sitting at a cafe along the Serpentine lake in London’s Hyde Park, which features its own lido, King observes everyday yet transitional moments between interior and exterior, action and stillness, and community and solitude.
Since 2008, Kings has worked almost exclusively with graphite and colored pencil. Her pieces pull from experience, with the addition of models and photographic references, as the artist swims almost daily and looks over the River Thames from her studio. “Kings’ relationship with water, and its dynamic within the city of London, is an integral part of her work,” the gallery says.
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Detail of “The Changing Room III”
“Bath Mat II” (2024), graphite and colored pencil on gesso panel, 41 x 51 centimeters. Photo by Matthew Hollow
“By the Lake” (2025), graphite and colored pencil on Arches paper, 67 x 102 centimeters. Photo by Matthew Hollow
“Red Flag” (2025), graphite and colored pencil on Arches paper, 66 x 95 centimeters. Photo by Prudence Cuming Associates
“The Changing Room IV” (2025), graphite and colored pencil on Arches paper, 34.5 x 28.5 centimeters. Photo by Matthew Hollow
Detail of “Swans”
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